Sprained thumb limits Carpenter in practice

Taking snaps and routine handoffs is all Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter was able to do in practice Tuesday night.

Carpenter will play despite sprained thumb

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Carpenter was limited by his sprained right thumb during Tuesday’s workout but could start throwing later in the week.

“I’d be shocked if he didn’t come out and throw on Thursday,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson said.

Carpenter injured his thumb on a handoff to running back Keegan Herring during ASU’s 31-20 victory over California last Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.

With ASU’s defining matchup with Oregon just a few days away, Erickson said Carpenter will be evaluated day-to-day to see when he will be able to resume throwing.

Most of the first-team offense’s pass plays during Tuesday’s practice were run with backup quarterback Danny Sullivan under center while Chasen Stangel, a freshman quarterback expected to redshirt, was also worked in.

Erickson made it clear Tuesday that he expects Carpenter to be ready to go against the Ducks at Autzen Stadium.

“Knowing him, he’s not going to miss this game, no way,” Erickson said.

ASU safety Jeremy Payton was held out of Tuesday’s practice with an ankle sprain he suffered against the Golden Bears.

Erickson said Payton is doubtful for Saturday’s game with the Ducks and isn’t sure of when he’ll be ready to go.

ASU safety Rodney Cox filled in for Payton as a backup and during nickel formations, and Erickson said Cox will play a similar role against Oregon.

“That’s what depth is for,” Erickson said.

Miller back in action

ASU’s victory over Cal last Saturday saw the return of tight end Brent Miller.

Miller caught two passes for 17 yards in his first action since ASU’s 23-20 win over Washington State on Oct. 6.

“It felt pretty good, the biggest thing was to get my confidence back because medically, I’m OK now,” Miller said.

Miller had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 11 to see if there was more serious damage to the knee he injured on Sept. 8 against Colorado.

Because he had practiced very little leading up to last weekend’s game with Cal, Miller said he was a little hesitant early against the Golden Bears.

“The coaches started working me in slowly and by the second half, (my knee) really felt like it was before I ever hurt it,” Miller said.

Miller said the only thing left for him to get used to is the brace he now wears on his right knee.

“The brace makes the leg a little bit tired quicker than the other because it’s squeezing my leg, but other than that, it’s not that big of a deal,” Miller said.

Green at Practice

Former ASU cornerback Chad Green was in attendance of part of Tuesday night’s practice. Green was critically injured in a car accident in the early hours of April 15 after starting in ASU’s spring game the previous night.

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Tribune writer Dan Zeiger contributed to this report.