"The shoulder's fine," said Satele, motioning his arms as if he were performing the start of the "YMCA" dance. "See? It's all good. I'll be back."

Satele, who attended practice yesterday but did not participate in workouts, said he might compete today.

UH coach June Jones said he expects Satele, a second-year freshman, to start in the Warriors' Aug. 30 opener against Appalachian State.

Jeremy Inferrera, a 2003 Saint Louis School graduate, has practiced at left tackle in Satele's absence. Jones said he would not hesitate to use Inferrera.

"I'm not concerned about someone's age," Jones said. "I'm concerned about his ability."

The Warriors' last true freshman to start in a football opener was running back Charles Tharp, in 1997. "We're ready in case something happens," Jones said, "but I believe Samson will be ready."

While offensive linemen usually redshirt as true freshmen — Vince Manuwai, in 1999, was the exception in Jones' first four years as UH head coach — Inferrera did not concede going that route when he signed in February.

"I wanted to come out here, work hard and see what happened," Inferrera said.

The 6-foot-2 Inferrera gained 15 pounds this summer and now weighs 281. He can bench press 225 pounds 20 times. Most of all, Inferrera is more aggressive than he was a few years ago.

"When he was a sophomore (in high school), he was too nice," said his brother Daniel Inferrera, a wide receiver. "I told him to get a mean streak. We used to spar and wrestle with him to get the aggression out. Once he became a junior, I guess the mean streak came out."

Daniel Inferrera, who is 6 feet and 195 pounds, believes his brother inherited his size from their grandfather, John, a 6-foot-4 former professional baseball player.

"I guess I take after my mother," Daniel Inferrera said. "She ran track."

• Health report: Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga skipped yesterday's practice to receive treatment on his sore back. Jones said Sopoaga originally suffered the ailment while playing rugby in American Samoa several years ago. Jones said Sopoaga will not miss any games, but will be withheld from one-on-one drills in practices.