Defensive end Tavita Woodard has a fracture in his right foot and is expected to miss Hawaii’s football season opener against Colorado Sept. 3.
Woodard said he had previous problems with that foot, but aggravated it last Wednesday.
Woodard said he will undergo surgery to insert a protective plate.
"I’ll probably be out less than four weeks, guaranteed," said Woodard, who transferred from Eastern Arizona College in June.
His goal is to be on the travel roster for the 12-day road trip to Washington and Las Vegas.
Woodard sought advice from linebacker T.J. Taimatuia, who did not play in 2010 because of a broken foot.
"I told him when you have a fracture, it takes time to heal," Taimatuia said. "You can’t Band-Aid it up, and just go back on the field."
Taimatuia said he is "fully healed." During Saturday’s 11-on-11 drills, he made consecutive sacks.
Lefotu waiting for results
Right guard David Lefotu said he will learn Monday the severity of his injured left knee.
He said he was hurt during drills Friday.
An X-ray did not show any fractures. He underwent an MRI on Friday.
Dr. Darryl Kan will meet with Lefotu onMonday to review the results.
"You have to hope for the best," said Lefotu, the primary backup to right guard Chauncy Winchester-Makainai.
Lefotu said his treatments include the "game-ready machine," which features cold compressions.
Harding, Sampson finalists
Head coach Greg McMackin said 24-year-old freshman Scott Harding and Allen Sampson are the finalists for the punt returner’s job.
Harding played six years of professional Australian rules football before deciding to join the Warriors. Harding is paying his own school and living expenses this semester. He will go on football scholarship in January.
"I’m fortunate to get a lot of reps," Harding said. "I’m obviously behind in this sport. The more I practice, the better I’ll be."
Harding is practicing despite recovering from a sprained big toe on his right foot.
"I spent time in the training room getting that sorted out," he said.
Wahine clinic coming
McMackin’s wife, Heather, hosts the fourth Hawaii Wahine Football Clinic on Aug. 23 at the UH athletic complex.
UH strength coordinator Tommy Heffernan will be the featured speaker. There will be a tour of the weight room. Attendees then can meet with players and coaches at stations set up on Ching field.
Admission is $20, and includes refreshments and a "playbook." The first 200 paid admissions will receive a woman’s Under Armour shirt.
There is no admission charge for female UH students with valid school identification.
Registration is at 6 p.m. The program begins at 7 p.m. For information, call 956-6508.
