N.C. State running backs limited in practice

N.C. State running backs Curtis Underwood and James Washington did not practice in full pads Monday as they were wearing jerseys with a red cross on them signifying that they were injured.

Coach Tom O'Brien declined to comment on their status. His preseason policy is not to talk about injuries unless he knows they are going to cause players to miss the opening game.

"I don't have anything to say about any injuries one way or another," O'Brien said. "They're still good for the first game, and if they're not, I will tell you."

N.C. State opens at home against Western Carolina on Sept. 4.

Underwood and Washington are competing for the first-team running back job.

It's not clear if they will be available for Tuesday evening's scrimmage. End-of-game situations will be a key part of the scrimmage, the team's third of the preseason.

Ken Tysiac