Hawaii linebacker Corey Paredes has a reliable home remedy for his football-related aches.

His father.

Lloyd Paredes is a licensed chiropractor.

"It’s awesome growing up around him," Corey Paredes said. "I’m always asking him for an adjustment."

He said he has endured aches and pains since high school.

"I always played with injuries at Castle," he said.

He endured a chronic ankle sprain, for example.

Also, in a scrimmage against Kapolei during his junior year at Castle, Paredes recalled, "I was returning a punt, and a guy hit me with my head down."

He was diagnosed with having stretched muscles near his spine. He missed the next week’s game, but has since suffered from periodic soreness near that area.

These days, his father works mainly as an alternative-energy researcher at the University of Hawaii. But in his free time, he runs a chiropractor practice in Kailua.

"He’s really helped me," said Paredes, who has not missed a UH game because of an injury during his three-year collegiate career.

In this past week’s 45-7 rout of Utah State, Paredes made 10 tackles and his first two interceptions.

He received the Western Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week award, and a perfect grade from defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.

"That’s difficult to do, with the operation of (Utah State’s) offense, the (rainy) conditions, and the tempo," Aranda said.

Paredes has soreness in his right ankle and left shoulder, but vows to play in Saturday’s game against Idaho at Aloha Stadium.

"It’s football," Paredes said. "It’s a physical sport. It definitely would hurt not to play. I want to be on the field with my boys."

Punt returners compete

Starting left wideout Rodney Bradley and safety Richard Torres have joined the competition for the punt returner’s job.

Ryan Henry, who was the primary punt returner, suffered a torn ACL against Utah State. He will not play the rest of the season.

Slotbacks Greg Salas, Kealoha Pilares and Dustin Blount have game experience returning punts. They also are part of the competition.

Chris Tormey, who coordinates special teams, said Bradley and Torres have the sure hands and elusiveness to serve as punt returners.

"If it’s a windy day at Aloha Stadium, you want a guy who’s reliable at catching it," Tormey said. "We think those are the guys who can do the job. We’re evaluating them."

Leonard is iffy

Left guard Brett Leonard’s availability still is being evaluated.

Leonard suffered a sore knee against Utah State. An MRI showed no damage. He did not practice yesterday.