Just before entering the airport-bound bus yesterday, Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan turned to a reporter and announced: "Everything is good."

And, indeed, there was widespread relief as all signs point to the state's most-monitored concussion patient being healthy and available to play in tomorrow's nationally televised road game against Nevada.

Yesterday, Brennan resumed practicing for the first time since suffering the concussion in Saturday's 37-30 victory over Fresno State.

After yesterday's two-hour practice, head coach June Jones declared that Brennan "is fine."

Not only does Jones expect Brennan to play tomorrow, when asked if he thought his star quarterback would start, Jones said, "I do."

Later, Jones said, "He will."

Jones and the UH medical staff will make a final decision tomorrow.

"I want to play," Brennan said. "But I don't get to make that decision. I have no say."

Brennan appeared to be agitated at his limited work yesterday. He received a third of the snaps — two plays to every four for quarterback Tyler Graunke — during drills against the scout-team defense.

Brennan was held out of drills against UH's starting defense.

But Jones said the work against the scouts was more important because they were simulating Nevada's defensive plays.

"He was in there for the Nevada stuff," Jones said. "The stuff we run (against the defensive starters) we don't run against Nevada."

Brennan expressed disappointment in being limited to about five passes against the scouts.

"But those were four or five good passes," he said.

Brennan was cleared to practice because he did not experience headaches or nausea after being slammed by Fresno linebacker Marcus Riley.

Brennan was not hospitalized, nor was a CAT scan performed. UH officials have maintained the concussion was "mild."

"After talking more about it, (medical officials are) not even sure (Brennan) was knocked out," Jones said. "The doctors went out there right away, and his eyes were open, so they're not even sure. It was just a hard hit."

LANE SITS OUT PRACTICE

Right wideout Malcolm Lane did not practice yesterday after suffering an injury to his right hand Tuesday. He was wearing a wrist brace.

"He kind of jammed it," Jones said. "I told him to sit out."

Lane, who made the trip, said he will be ready to play.

Lane is the immediate backup to right wideout C.J. Hawthorne. He's also the No. 1 kick returner.

With Jason Rivers taking an examination yesterday, Ryan Mouton, Keenan Jones and Michael Washington alternated as the two kick returners.

MARTINEZ PROMOTED

A.J. Martinez, a senior who has played sparingly this season while recovering from a hip flexor, has been promoted to starter on the kickoff team.

Martinez suffered the injury during a snowboard accident last December.

Martinez replaces Kenny Estes, who suffered an apparent injury to his left shoulder.

Estes said he was injured while tackling a Fresno State player. Estes, a freshman who was originally scheduled to redshirt, was added to the active roster last week.

Because Estes played in the season's second half, he will need to receive a special medical hardship to earn back this year.

Estes, whose left arm was in a sling, will receive an extensive medical examination today.

EMULATING THE PISTOL

Nevada's Pistol offense was a Saturday night special for the Warriors.

Against Fresno, the Warriors ran the Pistol eight times — four rushes for 33 yards, four pass completions for 80 yards.

"We did see that," said Nevada coach Chris Ault, who created the scheme three years ago.

In the Pistol, the quarterback is in the shotgun, 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, and the running back is 3 yards directly behind the quarterback. In UH's four-wide offense, Brennan also is 4 yards from the line of scrimmage, but the running back is aligned on his side.

UH running back Daniel Libre said the Warriors took one week to implement the Pistol, which gives the back a panoramic view of the defense and more running options.

Jones said it was an easy adjustment because he used to run a variation, except the quarterback was under center instead of in the shotgun. Jones said he began using the shotgun when he was with the Houston Oilers two decades ago.

Syracuse also has started to use the Pistol.

"It's getting pretty widespread," Ault said.

Visit Tsai’s blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.