Warriors’ ranks are thin at center

Hawaii center Matagisila Lefiti had planned to rest his tender left knee during Tuesday’s football practice at Aloha Stadium.

“But we went to team (drills), and I went out there,” Lefiti said. “I don’t think I’m avoiding too much.”

Last week, Lefiti suffered a strained PCL in his left knee. He was on crutches for a day, then resumed light workouts.

But with expanded workouts in the final days of training camp, the Warriors faced a shortage of centers.

While Lefiti was recovering, London Sapolu was elevated to No. 1 center.

Monday, the only other center, Kody Afusia, suffered a bad reaction after being bitten on his left foot by either a spider or a centipede. His left foot was swollen Monday afternoon. He experienced problems Tuesday, and did not practice at Aloha Stadium.

Brett Leonard practiced at center during spring drills, but now is the full-time left guard. His backup, Andrew Faaumu, is a long-snapper on placekicks, but not a traditional shotgun center. “It’s just me and London,” Lefiti said. “I have to stick to it and practice hard.”

McBride shines

Weakside linebacker Aaron Brown remains on limited duty while recovering from a strained left hamstring.

His replacement, Darryl McBride, has drawn praise from defensive coaches. During Tuesday’s blitz drill, McBride slipped on the ground, then, while prone, made an ankle tackle on running back John Lister. On another play, he raced across the field to chase down Lister.

McBride joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship safety in July 2010. He redshirted last year. During spring drills, he was used as a combination pass rusher/outside linebacker before moving to weakside linebacker.

Linebacker T.J. Taimatuia, who missed the 2010 season because of a broken right foot, came up with a sack during team drills. It was his third in the past three practices.

He said he felt comfortable on the new turf.

“I like it, but the turf doesn’t determine the wins and losses. We do,” he said. “Turf is turf. It’s how we play.”

Surgery for Woodard

Defensive end Tavita Woodard is scheduled to have surgery Friday to insert a screw into his broken right foot.

The recovery period is between four and six weeks, meaning he will miss the Sept. 3 season opener against Colorado and the ensuing 12-day road trip to Washington and Las Vegas.