By Tyler Barto
Twitter: Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

PISCATAWAY — Gary Nova didn't practice for both two-a-day practices for the second time in three days Wednesday, but head coach Kyle Flood insists it was planned.

Nova has gotten the bulk of the first-team reps during training camp, and a year ago he dealt with arm soreness. Flood said during media day Saturday that Nova worked to strengthen in throwing shoulder in the offseason.

Kyle Flood said he planned to give Gary Nova
another day off Wednesday. (Tyler Barto)

Nova did not practice in the afternoon session Monday. Flood said he didn't plan to give Nova another day off during camp.

With Nova out, senior Chas Dodd worked with the first-team offense while sophomore Mike Bimonte took snaps with the second-team unit. 

Fifth-year senior Antwan Lowery returned to the team Wednesday after attending a family funeral in Florida. Lowery was expected back for Wednesday's afternoon practice, but he was on Rutgers' F3 field in the morning.

Lowery has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury from the first week of training camp.

"Everything went as well as that could go," Flood said. "Now that his ankle is better, it's good to have him back out here. I watched him today on the field in both practices, and I wanted to see how he'd recover. He looked good."

An All-Big East First Team selection a year ago, Lowery has worked exclusively with the second team in training camp.

Flood said he'd like to see Rutgers rotate at least six defensive linemen, arguably the team's deepest position group, in its regular rotation during the season, with as many as eight seeing playing time.

"If you're asking me my ideal, I would want 16," Flood said. "I'd throw them out there in waves of four. ... You need to have three inside guys, you need to have three outside guys."

Flood said he'll monitor the situation next week before making a decision. Defensive line coach Jim Panagos said during media day he'd favor shuttling in as many players as possible.