No decision has been made on whether University of Hawai'i strongside linebacker Blaze Soares will be available for Saturday's opener against Northern Colorado.

"That's the big question," said Soares, who is suffering from an injury to his left hamstring. "I don't know yet."

Soares said he believes he suffered the injury when he landed awkwardly during last Friday's drills.

"It was a freak accident," he said.

Soares missed time last year with a pulled left hamstring.

"It's kind of the same thing, but I don't think it's as bad as it was last year," he said. "It's all knotted up."

UH coach June Jones has said he would bench Soares if the injury has long-term repercussions. Soares has a second opinion.

"I didn't train all summer to sit on the side and watch everybody else play," Soares said. "I worked hard to play. I want to be safe and cautious, but not too cautious."

If Soares does not play, Brad Kalilimoku would enter the lineup. Soares aligns on the side across from the tight end. Without Soares, Kalilimoku would align on the left and weakside linebacker Adam Leonard would be on the right.

Kalilimoku, like Soares, has had a history of hamstring problems. This year, he reports to the athletic training room at 5:15 every morning for treatment.

"I'm trying to take care of my hamstring," Kalilimoku said.

In other health news, defensive end John Fonoti, who suffered injuries to both heels last week, competed in contact drills yesterday. He was on the second team.

EASY DOES IT

After stepping in to intercept a Colt Brennan pass during yesterday's 11-on-11 drills, linebacker Solomon Elimimian was greeted with chants of: "Welcome back, Solly."

Elimimian, the starting middle linebacker, had missed several practices because of a strained hamstring.

"I'm still trying to take it easy," Elimimian said. "I don't want to get hurt further."

He had spent the offseason trying to improve his speed. With UH shifting from a 3-4 to 4-3 defense, the middle linebacker will need to cover more FieldTurf.

Elimimian, who is 6 feet, lost five pounds and now weighs 225. This summer, he worked on distance runs in the morning and speed drills in the afternoon.

WATCHING KELLY KICK

Dan Kelly has been named to the Lou Groza preseason watch list as one of the premier college kickers in the nation.

Kelly, a junior from Temecula, Calif., is 23 of 32 in field-goal attempts during his first two years. Last season, he was 13 of 17, including 9 of 11 from 39 yards and in.

The watch list has 29 candidates for the 16th annual award. The list will be pared to 20 semifinalists Nov. 6, and three finalists will be honored during an awards banquet Dec. 4. The winner will be presented Dec. 6 at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Award Show in Orlando, Fla.

The award is named for NFL Hall of Fame kicker Lou "the Toe" Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.