Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan is expected to practice this morning for the first time since suffering a concussion in Saturday's 37-30 victory over Fresno State.

Asked about Brennan's availability for Friday's road game against Nevada, head coach June Jones said: "I think he'll play."

Brennan said he has not suffered any headaches or nausea from the concussion.

"If he had any throwing up or nausea, I think you'd have to be more concerned," Jones said. "He'll practice (today)."

Jones said Brennan was held out of practices Monday and yesterday as a precaution.

Brennan is expected to be allowed to practice because the quarterbacks are not hit during UH drills.

"In the game, it's full on, full contact," Brennan said. "You know I'm not going to get touched in practice.

"I could have practiced (Monday)," he added. "I could have practiced every day if I wanted to. I could have practiced the last two days if I wanted to."

Brennan would need a doctor's permission to play against Nevada. A decision, Brennan was told, probably won't be made until Friday.

Brennan has attended meetings and watched videos of Nevada's defense. He said he is mentally and physically fit to play.

"It's not up to me," Brennan said. "I'm the last one who gets to decide whether I play. I want to play, but I have no say whether I play this week."

Although Jones insists Tyler Graunke remains as Brennan's top backup, Inoke Funaki continues to receive extensive work with the first-team offense during team drills.

"I'm getting more comfortable," Funaki said. "I'm making mistakes, but it's definitely helping me to go through the growing process. I'm trying to be as prepared as possible."

RUNNING START FOR LIBRE

Jones said running back Kealoha Pilares will not play in Friday's game.

Pilares is recovering from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

"There's no rush," said Pilares, who leads the Warriors with 294 rushing yards. "I don't want to make it worse. I'm sitting on it. It's getting better every day. I'm just rehabbing it, and doing what I can to get it better. The pain is almost gone. It's not that tender as it was last week."

Leon Wright-Jackson, who rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown against Fresno State; Daniel Libre, who gained 61 yards, and David Farmer form the rotation at running back.

Brennan said Libre's emergence is "a great, great story."

After transferring from Menlo College, the Big Island-raised Libre led the Warriors with six interceptions as a cornerback during spring training in 2006.

But because of personal situations, Libre had to travel extensively to the Big Island, missing school time. That led to "grade problems," Libre said. "I wasn't up to par that year. I didn't meet the school standards."

Libre was enrolled at a community college last fall. He rejoined the team in January, and moved to offense.

"I talked to coach (Rich) Miano a lot," Libre said. "He told me to hang in there and work hard."

From the depths of the depth chart, Libre, who had resurfaced as a slotback and then running back, caught Jones' attention with his work on the scout team. Libre made his debut in Saturday's game.

"I wasn't nervous because of the way they prepared me," Libre said. "It paid off a lot. I was more nervous in practice than in the game."

Brennan said he often ran into Libre last fall.

"I'd say, 'what's up?' and 'keep trying,'" Brennan recalled. "It's fun to see where he's headed, and the possible future he could have."

HAWTHORNE ON MEND

With the return of left wideout Jason Rivers and left slotback Davone Bess, only one starting receiver — right wideout C.J. Hawthorne — did not compete in team drills yesterday.

Rivers did not practice Monday because of a sore neck. Bess had flu-like symptoms.

"C.J. wanted to practice but I held him out," Jones said.

Hawthorne is suffering from tightness in his right hamstring and groin. He left in the second quarter Saturday.

"Coach wanted to hold me out today," Hawthorne said. "I don't mind taking a vacation. There's a lot of work to be done. We have a lot of teams still ahead of us. I'll be good to go (against Nevada)."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.