VIDEO: Upcoming game 'make or break' for Warrior football

Taylor had recovered from a sprained left ankle only to aggravate it when he was caught under a pile-up during the past Saturday's 42-17 football loss to Fresno State. Taylor did not play in the second half.

Now Taylor, who missed most of the 2008 season because of a viral infection, said he believes he is — relatively speaking — healthy enough to play in Saturday's road game against Idaho. He will be the No. 1 right wideout and kick returner.

Taylor said the soreness in his left ankle "is something I'll be dealing with the rest of the season. It's an ankle injury, and I have to fight through it. Hopefully, it won't get any worse."

Taylor said he undergoes the so-called "combo" treatment of electrical stimulation, massage, icing and range-of-motion exercises.

Royce Pollard, who started the past two games at right wideout, is not on the 64-player travel roster. He has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in the left fibula.

Pollard said he does not know how or when he suffered the injury.

"It just hurt after the (Fresno) game," Pollard said.

Asked about the rehabilitation period, Pollard said, "I'm out until after the pain goes away. That's what they told me. The pain goes away, I'll be back."

Pollard said he was told he needed to have a minimum of three treatment sessions each day.

"I'm going to do at least five a day," Pollard said. "I'm going to do as many as I can."

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT

Outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and defensive end Elliott Purcell suffered injuries during yesterday's practice. Neither is expected to miss the Idaho game.

Kiesel-Kauhane, a co-captain, injured his left hand. "I made a shaka and it didn't work," Kiesel-Kauhane mused. "I couldn't make a fist. It's not serious."

If anything, Kiesel-Kauhane said, "I'll put on a 16-ounce boxing glove and wrap it up with tape. I'll be fine."

Purcell aggravated a stinger that he originally suffered against Fresno State.

"There's a lot of pain," Purcell said. "It feels like it's burning a little bit. I should be ready to go."

FIRST-TIME FLIERS

Wideout Mike Tinoco, safety Jordan Gomes and defensive end Earvin Sione are making their first road trip this season.

Tinoco was No. 2 on the depth chart exiting spring practice.

"I guess there were some plays in fall camp I could have made, but I just messed up," Tinoco said. "That was my shot. I'm still working hard."