COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT WEEKDAY UPDATE : AZTECS : Arey Suffers Bruised Back in Practice

Dennis Arey, the nation’s seventh-leading yardage receiver, suffered a bruised lower back at practice Tuesday during a passing drill. Arey, who is averaging 101.3 receiving yards a game, was sandwiched between two players during a passing drill.

Arey was on the ground for about 10 minutes before trainers helped him walk off the field. He was examined by trainer Brian Barry and Aztec staff doctors Joe Moore and Rick Parker and given urine tests. Barry said Arey is questionable for Saturday’s game at Wyoming.

“We were worried for awhile,” Barry said. “We X-rayed his back, and we also tested to see if there was any blood in his urine.”

Barry said all X-rays were negative. He added that Arey will receive treatment today and will also undergo more extensive kidney tests.

Depending on how he responds to treatment, Barry said Arey could return to practice by Thursday.

Arey has been injured during practice several times this season, but has yet to miss a game. Monday in practice, Arey was tackled by safety Chris Johnson in a non-contact drill, but was not hurt.

“Dennis is fine,” SDSU Coach Al Luginbill said. “All he did was get squeezed between two (defensive backs). He’s been hurt before but he always seems to come back the next day.”

Three other Aztecs who did not play last week--nose tackle Ramondo Stallings (ankle), running back Tommy Booker (ankle) and linebacker Jamal Duff (thigh)--are improving. Duff and Stallings are probable and Booker is close to probable. “This is the best Booker’s looked,” Luginbill said. “If he continues to improve, he’ll go Saturday.” . . . Safety Johnny Walker (ankle) did not practice Tuesday, but he is expected to be at full speed today.