TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State coach Todd Graham made keeping his team healthy his main objective in Saturday's scrimmage, but the Sun Devils had no such luck.
Freshman safety Marcus Ball will miss an estimated three to five weeks after injuring his right shoulder in the scrimmage, leaving ASU thin at field safety for the time being.
Graham said Ball won't need surgery and will play once he returns, but Ball was slotted to start after an impressive showing through the first two weeks of fall camp. Based on the estimated timeline, Ball could be back for ASU's second game, against Wisconsin, but more likely won't return until ASU's third or fourth game.
Even if Ball, who attended practice with his arm in a sling Monday, does miss four games, ASU has no plans to redshirt him this season.
"I just think he's a guy that could help us win a championship this year," Graham said. "He's too talented not to be on the field. He was doing well, and if he hadn't of gotten hurt, he was running with the (first team), and we felt like he had a good chance to be the guy."
With Ball out, ASU shifted senior cornerback Robert Nelson to field safety Monday. Nelson had been competing to start at field cornerback, where Lloyd Carrington appears to be the frontrunner.
''We feel like Robert, Lloyd (Carrigton), (Alden) Darby and Osahon (Irabor) are our four best (defensive backs)," Graham said. "We're just going to see if (Nelson) can do a little bit of that."
Nelson ran with the first team at field safety over redshirt freshman Laiu Moeakiola, who had been Ball's chief competition at the position. Moeakiola may still win the job, though, as ASU wanted to use Monday's practice to see how Nelson fits at field safety, a position Graham has called the "quarterback of the defense."
"We've got confidence in Laiu that he can do it," Graham said. "We've just got to make sure we get our best guys on the field, and I like getting the most speed on the field. So we're just kind of taking a look at that."
Junior college transfer Damarious Randall will also be in the mix to start at field safety, but he has not practiced yet due to a groin strain. Graham said Randall is a few days away from participating in non-contact drills and perhaps 10 days away from going full speed. With 17 days until ASU's first game, it would be quite a feat for Randall to win the starting job.
Carrington got looks at field safety during spring practice, but Graham said he will stay at cornerback, as moving him would create uncertainty at another position. Freshman James Johnson could also be in the picture at field safety but will likely be the third option once Randall is healthy.
Before ASU went to Camp Tontozona, it looked like freshman punter Matt Haack had fallen behind walk-on Dom Vizzare for the punting job. After a strong week and a good practice Monday, he's back on top.
"Matt Haack really stepped up," Graham said. "He's probably with the (first team) right now. We've still got him and Vizzare competing for that job, because Vizzare has had a great camp as well."
Vizzare appears to have the bigger leg, but both have been inconsistent. Haack has apparently improved there, and Graham likes the added challenge a left-footed punter presents.
The rest of the kicking game appears to be set. Freshman place kicker Zane Gonzalez went 8 for 8 in Saturday's scrimmage and impressed Graham again Monday. He appears to be running away with the kicking job over Alex Garoutte and Jon Mora.
"I felt good coming out of the scrimmage about our kickers and snappers and holders and all that," Graham said.
ASU is still trying to sort out the spur linebacker position after moving Chris Young to will. Monday's practice displayed just how unsolved the spot remains.
Senior Anthony Jones donned a green no-contact jersey for what appeared to be a minor injury, so ASU shifted Carlos Mendoza back to spur. Mendoza started the fall there but last week was moved back to his natural will position. Will linebacker Granville Taylor has also seen action at spur.
Graham said Young also took reps at spur on Monday, something he hasn't done this fall. The possibility of Young moving back to spur has existed all along, but coaches have liked Young at will, particularly for his run-stopping ability. Him getting reps there now could mean ASU is keeping him fresh at the position in case he is shifted back.
"We'll move guys around as needed," Graham said. "Will and the spur are kind of (interchangeable). You can play either one."
-- Others in green jerseys Monday were receivers Joe Morris (foot) and Cameron Smith (hamstring) and running back Kyle Middlebrooks (knee).
-- After being held out of Saturday's scrimmage with a tender hamstring, boundary cornerback Osahon Irabor was back with the first team defense in 11-on-11 drills.
-- Sophomore running back D.J. Foster was dressed and practicing as usual after suffering a very minor left ankle injury during Saturday's scrimmage. He did not participate in the first 11-on-11 period but may have in later periods that were closed to media.
-- Receivers Jaelen Strong and Richard Smith continued to run with the first-team offense Monday. The two are likely locked in as starters, while the third spot is used in a number of ways, some with Foster or a tight end or freshman Ellis Jefferson.
