The big news out of Tyrone Willingham's media briefing today is that linebacker E.J. Savannah is again fully eligible to play and is again the starter at weakside linebacker.

Savannah had been the backup at that position since the beginning of camp due to what apparently was some sort of academic issue. But whatever it is, it's cleared up now, Willingham said, saying that Savannah "should be fine'' for the opener and declaring that he is again the starter.

In other personnel news:

--- Byron Davenport again sat out practice but Willingham said it's still not too late for him to get back in the lineup for Syracuse.

--- Cody Ellis was again "very limited'' with an unknown injury.

--- Willingham acknowledged there is some sort of punishment being meted out to backup center Ryan Bush, who was reportedly running stairs during Tuesday's practice. Asked if Bush was not practicing because of injury Willingham said "different issue'' without elaborating.

--- Anthony Russo "fully participated'' in practice and should be ready for Syracuse, Willingham said. Russo is wearing a splint to protect his surgically repaired broken pinky, but otherwise is fine, Willingham said.

--- Brandon Yakaboski has been out with an undisclosed injury.

Willingham also elaborated on some position situations:

--- He said the second starting CB spot remains wide open.

--- Said Russo's return goes a long way toward solidifying the punt return spot, calling him "the odds-on favorite'' to handle the punt returns.

--- Said the kickoff return job remains open but that it is unlikely CB Roy Lewis will handle it again, as he did last year. Some of the younger players (Brandon Johnson in particular) figure in that position.

--- Said all the kicking positions are open but clarified that the punting job is down to Jared Ballman and Ryan Perkins, the kickoff job to Erik Folk and Ballman, and the PAT/FG job to Perkins and Ballman. "There are some nice combinations in place there,'' he said.

Today is the last of UW's two-a-days with one more practice this afternoon. We'll head out there and report back if there is anything of note.

AFTERNOON UPDATE:

Little to report from practice. Donald Butler wasn't doing anything in the part we saw and his knee was still wrapped so hard to tell where he really is. Otherwise, everyone seemed ready and accounted for, including Ryan Bush, who was taking part in all the regular team activities unlike Tuesday, when he was running stairs.

Davenport also still seemed slowed. But Russo was running around catching passes like before he was hurt, so he appears good to go.

Also, Yakaboski appeared to be doing some stuff with the RBs, so whatever the injury is that held him out of the full-contact practice in the morning (just helmets, shoulder pads and shorts this afternoon) didn't seem overly serious.

Also, one interesting note from the earlier session I forgot is Willingham's assertion that the backup RB job is still undecided. Sounds as if J.R. Hasty is beginning to feel the heat there.