Two years ago, Dylan Linkner lost his spot in the wide receiver rotation with the University of Hawai'i football team due to an injury.

Yesterday — thanks in part to an injury to another receiver —Linkner finally worked his way to the first unit.

"This is my fifth year here; I'm the only receiver left who was here when Timmy Chang and Chad Owens were playing," Linkner said. "So you could say I put in my time."

Linkner worked with the first team offense during yesterday's spring drills as a right wideout.

Malcolm Lane was the projected starter at that spot, but he has missed the last few practices due to an ankle injury. Lane returned to practice yesterday, but he did not run pass patterns with the first or second teams.

UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee said Linkner earned the spot with the first unit yesterday.

"Malcolm is not ready yet, and when guys get banged up and miss practice, it's a chance for other guys to step up," Lee said. "That's what Dylan has done. I like what he's been doing, and that's why he was out there today."

Linkner — who is a 6-foot, 205-pound senior from Kailua — has been a scout team player for four seasons with the Warriors. He saw action in just three games last season, but did not record any receptions.

During his sophomore season, Linkner was working with the second team as a backup to Ross Dickerson. But the week before the season opener at Alabama, Linkner pulled a hamstring and didn't travel with the team.

He has been working his way back up the depth chart ever since.

"I'll support the team any way I can — I'll do kickoff coverage, punt returns, anything," he said. "But if I don't get on the field this year, it's going to be a disappointment. This is my last year, and I've been working hard every day."

However, Linkner said he realizes that the speedster Lane should return to full strength soon.

"It's not something you wish for — to see your teammate get hurt," Linkner said. "As soon as Malcolm's ankle is healthy, I'm sure he'll be right back in the competition."

What's more, Lee said freshman Royce Pollard and sophomore Daniel Lofton have been impressive this spring.

"There's a lot of competition, and it's forcing guys to step up," Lee said. "That's something you like to see."

OTHERS STEPPING IN FOR INJURED TEAMMATES

Linkner is not the only Warrior making the most of his situation this spring.

Several others are practicing with the first team this week as a result of injuries to projected starters.

Junior linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane has been working with the first defense since last week in place of Blaze Soares, who is sitting out because of a shoulder injury.

"I know Blaze is going to be ready when it's time to play," Kiesel-Kauhane said. "But this is giving me an opportunity to play and show the coaches what I can do. The more I get in, the better I know the defense, and the faster I can react. It's kind of like my chance to shine."

Kiesel-Kauhane and Soares are cousins, so they don't necessarily have a bitter competition waging for playing time.

"I would love it if we could be on the field at the same time," Kiesel-Kauhane said. "We'll see. Blaze is one of the best guys out there, so if I have to back him up, that's fine."

The offensive line has also been auditioning several newcomers this spring due to injuries. Yesterday, sophomore Brysen Ginlack worked with the first unit at left guard in place of Keith AhSoon, who has an injured calf.

"I'm nervous every day, but even more nervous working with the first team," Ginlack said. "I'm just trying to do what the coaches tell me."

Ginlack was a reserve at right guard last season.

"There's a little bit of difference (between right and left), but it's a chance for me to play and get better," he said. "Even when Keith comes back, hopefully I can be a better backup for him because of this."

AhSoon, center John Estes and tackle Laupepa Letuli have all missed practice time this spring due to injuries. Estes returned to the first team yesterday.

"It's frustrating because you want the guys to work together as a unit," offensive line coach Brian Smith said. "But at the same time, it's a great opportunity for some of our younger guys to develop."Savaiigaea will miss the rest of spring drills

Junior defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea will be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks with a fractured right tibia.

Savaiigaea sustained the injury during Saturday's practice. At the time, he thought it was a sprained ankle.

"I thought, ice it up, massage, and I'll be back in a couple days," he said. "When the doctor told me six weeks, I thought no way."

Savaiigaea was being tabbed as one of the team's most improved players this spring, and was battling for a starting role.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "To me, spring is when you open up eyes, and I really wanted to show the coaches what I could do."

Savaiigaea said he expects to be at full strength by the time fall camp starts in August.

"Injuries happen, that's part of football," he said. "I still have all summer to train again and be ready for the season."

GRAUNKE, FUNAKI SHARE FIRST-TEAM QB SNAPS

Senior quarterback Tyler Graunke worked with the first unit of receivers for most of yesterday's practice.

Prior to yesterday, junior Inoke Funaki was listed as the No. 1 quarterback. But offensive coordinator Ron Lee said Graunke and Funaki are now considered co-No. 1.

"They're getting equal reps," Lee said. "But I thought Tyler deserved to get some work with the first group of receivers. He's been looking good so far."

Graunke said he is familiar with some of the projected starting receivers because he worked with them last season, when he was the primary backup for Colt Brennan.

"I was getting a lot of reps in practice last year with Mike (Washington) and Aaron (Bain), so I know what they can do," Graunke said. "I feel like I'm progressing every day, but I'm more hard on myself than anybody. Hopefully, I'll feel comfortable with where I am by the end of spring."

Funaki said: "It's cool. You have to trust the coaches and just be ready when your opportunity does come."

The quarterbacks continued to take snaps from under the center yesterday. Lee said there is no rush to implement plays from a shotgun formation.

"The shotgun is easy — we can put that in on game day if we wanted," Lee said. "We need to get better under center. By the time we get out of spring, I think our quarterbacks won't like the shotgun. They can read coverages a lot faster under center. In shotgun, you have to take your eyes off the defense for a second to get the ball, and that's when the defenses adjust."

For now, Graunke said he would still prefer a shotgun setup.

"I thought we were going to do shotgun today, but we didn't," he said. "I can't wait until we do. I'm sure I'll start to feel more comfortable under center by the end of spring, but right now, I'm still getting used to it."