Seminole quarterback sidelined with ankle injury

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel is expected back at practice Friday after missing a day because of an ankle injury.

Coach Jimbo Fisher said Manuel was kept out of Thursday's scrimmage as a precaution because his right ankle swelled after the quarterback rolled it during a two-minute drill Wednesday

"If we go tomorrow he could probably go," Fisher said, adding Manuel would definitely be back for Saturday's two-a-day workouts. "If he had to play, he could play."

Manuel, however, did not attend Thursday's practice while receiving treatment for the injury.

Fisher said sophomore Clint Trickett solidified his role as the No. 2 quarterback with his performance running the first team offense during the scrimmage. Trickett is trying to hold off redshirt freshman Jacob Coker in the preseason battle as Manuel's primary backup. Trickett passed for 675 yards and seven touchdowns last season in relief of Manuel.

"Clint did some real good things, drove us early, made some plays," Fisher said. "I really liked the way the offense came out early. Did some good things on third down. That part of it was really good."

The 6-foot-2 Trickett, who has suffered from a chronic intestinal disease, added about 15 pounds during the offseason and now weighs 180.

A fifth-year senior, Manuel has battled injuries throughout his career at Florida State, although he came into camp this month in what he said was the best shape of his life. He missed the Clemson game and a half of the Wake Forest game last fall after being knocked out of the Oklahoma game in the third quarter. The Seminoles, who finished the year 9-4, lost all three.

Florida State opens its season with four straight home games, beginning Sept. 1 against Murray (Ky.) State. After a visit from another lower-division school, Savannah State, the Seminoles host Wake Forest, Sept. 15 and Clemson, Sept. 22.

Fisher said senior offensive lineman Jacob Fahrenkrug also suffered an ankle injury that will keep out of practice for several days.

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