ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada's injured left hamstring is slowly improving, but the three-year starter from Hawai'i remains questionable for the season opener against Towson on Saturday.

"I'm kind of always more on the pessimistic side," coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "If he comes back, it'll be a great Christmas gift. If he doesn't, we'll move forward. I'm kind of more on the other side, preparing as if he's not coming back. If he does, it will be a plus."

Niumatalolo, however, was pleased with the progress that Kaheaku-Enhada, who was injured Aug. 9 during the team's first scrimmage, has made in recent days. On Monday, he ran in the sand pit and threw for the first time, and Niumatalolo said he was "pleasantly surprised" with what he saw.

Kaheaku-Enhada said his hamstring is "leaps and bounds better than last week," but that he's unsure whether he will be able to play this week.

Navy's offense has not played particularly well during the preseason — the first-team offense failed to score a touchdown in two scrimmages — and that has made these past two weeks difficult.

"It's hard coming out here and watching the guys struggle, knowing that I should be out there with them," Kaheaku-Enhada said. "At the same time, you can't show that to the guys. You have to be a leader. I try not to show it, but it's definitely been frustrating."