Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun football team returns to practice today after taking the NCAA-mandated day off Monday, and head coach Rickey Bustle is hoping Monday's rest will help a battered offensive line get healthy.

The Cajuns, who travel to face second-ranked Texas Saturday at 6 p.m. at Austin's Memorial Stadium, practiced Sunday without three players who figure to be in the offensive front rotation.

Sophomore tackle Jesse Newman, who started 11 games at guard as a true freshman in 2004, remains hobbled by knee ligament troubles.

That problem is compounded by sophomore backup Zach Leger of Baton Rouge-Bishop Sullivan also being sidelined with a sprained knee.

"I don't think it looks good for Jesse," Bustle said on his availability for Saturday. "If he can go, it'll be one of those last-minute things. And it may be even longer for Zach before he's ready to play."

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com