The University of Hawai'i football team is preparing as if injured inside linebacker Solomon Elimimian will not be available to play against UNLV Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Elimimian, who makes most of the defensive calls as the buck linebacker, has not competed in six consecutive practices because of a Grade 1 ligament sprain in his right knee. The buck linebacker usually is aligned on the inside left in the Warriors' 3-4 defensive formation.

During yesterday's practice, Adam Leonard moved from middle to buck linebacker, where he made all of the defensive calls.

Brad Kalilimoku practiced at Leonard's usual inside-right position.

"I don't believe (Elimimian) will play," defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said.

Head coach June Jones echoed that assessment, adding, "He's probably not going to play."

Although not ready to file sick-leave papers, Elimimian tentatively accepted a job as a spotter for Glanville. In that role, Elimimian would watch the game from the coaches' booth on the loge level.

"The job is too technical for a reporter to understand," Glanville said, smiling. "We'll have him working."

Elimimian, a 6-foot, 224-pound sophomore, said his right knee has improved since he suffered the injury in the Sept. 2 opener against Alabama.

"There's pain," Elimimian said. "I can play through pain. I played the whole game with this. But it's not about 'now.' It's about 'long term.' I don't want to jeopardize it anymore.

"If I can go out there and give 100 percent, I'll go out there," he added. "I want to play. Everybody knows how much I want to play, how competitive I am. It's not like I don't want to play. But I don't want to be foolish. I want to do what's best for the team. I'm sure the team doesn't want me out there if I can't go full speed."

Leonard, a sophomore who had a team-high 11 tackles against Alabama, said he welcomes the expanded leadership role.

"I don't mind at all," Leonard said. "Besides, everybody knows the calls. I'm just reinforcing them. In the course of a game, there comes a time when you get really exhausted. You've got to remember to take your time and communicate with everybody."

Kalilimoku said he has re-adjusted to inside linebacker, where he started 12 games last season. He was at strong safety in spring practice through the Alabama game. He moved to outside linebacker for two days before shifting to inside linebacker last week.

Although the assignments have been tweaked since last year, Kalilimoku said, "I went back to my instincts and played what I knew. It feels natural being there."

Glanville said: "It's a good thing we moved Brad there. That vision came to me in the night."

Blaze Soares, who is Kalilimoku's backup, suffered a sprained left ankle during a kickoff drill yesterday. His left ankle was covered with an ice pack.

"Nothing real serious," Soares said. "I'll be back."

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