Last fall McNeese State limped to the finish line in football, losing the final three games of the season as a slew of injuries caught up to the Cowboys.

They’ll have some of those bodies back as spring workouts begin today at Cowboy Stadium.

Cornerback Ja’Len James and wide receiver Kent Shelby, both of whom suffered season-ending leg injuries, won’t be part of that group. But most of the other Cowboys are ready to go, including quarterback Daniel Sams, who missed the season’s final game after undergoing thumb surgery.

Head coach Matt Viator said Sams was cleared a week ago to throw, though he may do so sparingly.

There was one significant position change, with Nate Holmes being split out from running back to wide receiver. He’ll be joined by 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior-to-be Tavarious Battiste, who was moved from cornerback.

“Those are two of the faster guys on the team. We want to try to look at those guys and see if they can help that position out a little,” Viator said. “We weren’t near as good as we have been with the speed sweep game last year. Putting a couple guys like that there can really help us out.”

For many players, spring is a time to earn critical repetitions that will come in handy if McNeese’s depth is tested once again in 2015.

“Spring ball always represents a new beginning, especially for guys who haven’t played,” Viator said. “Spring is important for everybody, but probably that much more urgent with younger guys. We want to assess if they are better physically, mentally and fundamentally.”

The Cowboys will have 15 practices over the next five weeks, culminating in the April 25 spring game.

(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman