The Hawai'i football team's quarterback equation now features an addition function.

The Warriors yesterday welcomed back Brent Rausch, who had been idled for six weeks because of a fractured right pinkie on his throwing hand.

And Bryant Moniz, who started the past three games, is expected to be allowed to compete in contact drills tomorrow. He suffered a concussion in the first quarter of Saturday's 54-9 loss to Boise State at Aloha Stadium.

"We're starting to get them back," offensive coordinator Ron Lee said.

Moniz, Rausch and Shane Austin, who played the final three quarters against Boise State, will be on the 64-player travel roster for Saturday's game against Nevada. Greg Alexander, who started the first four games, is out for the season after suffering two ligament tears in his left knee.

Austin took the majority of the snaps in the so-called "walk-through" yesterday, in which the offense ran plays against a scout defense comprised of offensive reserves.

Rausch, in his first workout since Sept. 10, was in for two series totaling eight plays. He completed four of six passes; one of his throws to the flat was intercepted by Hogan Rosehill.

"I felt good out there," Rausch said.

Rausch was not allowed to throw a football until last week, when he was permitted to take part in non-contact passing drills. He said he strengthened his arm with rotator-cuff exercises.

Rausch had suffered a diagonal fracture on the lower part of his right pinkie. Yesterday, the pinkie and the ring finger on his right hand were taped together. He said that provided cushion in case he hit his right hand against a teammate's helmet on his follow-through.

"I just don't want to catch it on anything," Rausch said.

He said the taping does not affect his grip on the football.

"I don't really use my pinkie; maybe a little bit on the release," Rausch said.

Moniz, meanwhile, is expected to receive full clearance for tomorrow's practice. He likely will do some light throwing during today's one-hour practice.

Moniz suffered the concussion when he was struck on the back of the helmet after he was sacked. In the past, doctors used a three-grade system to rate concussions. Although that system is no longer in place, Moniz's concussion was found to be "mild."

"I didn't even think it was a concussion," said Moniz, who experienced dizziness and temporary loss of balance. "I had (a concussion) before, and this one wasn't as bad compared to that one."

One benefit, Moniz said, is "my arm will be rested."

Moniz said he had some arm fatigue during last week's practices. He estimates he throws between 100 and 150 passes every two-hour practice.

The Warriors have yet to announce a starting quarterback for the Nevada game. But, if healthy, Moniz will start.

Lee said Austin and Rausch will split the reps today. "It will be a big day for both of them," Lee said.

Quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich said: "We want to put in a guy who's healthy enough and gives us the best chance."

Rolovich said Austin graded well Saturday except for the three interceptions. On the pick in the end zone, Austin thought slotback Jon Medeiros would run a flatter route. On another, he mis-read the coverage on wideout Joe Avery.

"I thought I had him wide open," Austin said. "I had a guy in my face. I wanted to get it out to him. Joe is 6-5. I tried to use his height. The problem is I can't get enough momentum or energy into the throw when you're throwing off the back foot. You always see it on ESPN. When people are throwing off the back foot, it's always a pick. I have to step into throws and make better decisions and try not to throw any cheap balls off my back foot anymore."