Notes and quotes from Tuesday's Michigan football practice, including candidates for punt, kick returner

Stonum won't be available this year. He is redshirting after being charged this summer with his second DUI.

Gallon's role with the team has yet to be discussed by Hoke.

Still healing
Odoms still is wearing a cast on his left forearm.

The team has declined to disclose the nature of the injury, which was sustained in the summer. Odoms, who is expected to have the cast removed sometime next week, is a leading candidate to start in the slot for the Wolverines, who already are missing Stonum.

The senior caught 16 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown last year.

Leading linebackers
The linebackers who practiced with the first defense during media availability were redshirt freshman Jake Ryan and junior Brandin Hawthorne on the outside and junior Kenny Demens in the middle.

Running backs still competing
Senior Michael Shaw, sophomore Fitz Toussaint, Smith and Rawls received a lot of early carries during the 20-minute window the media was allowed to watch Tuesday.

Each is a solid contender to win Michigan's starting tailback job, although not much can be read into this rotation. Coaches have stressed they'll move guys between units to keep them fresh, and unaware of their intentions.

Michigan offensive coordinator Al Borges said Tuesday the competition for the job remains fierce, and he has yet to pare down the field of seven contenders, although he added he's "getting a little closer."

Borges also said it may be several games before Michigan finally settles on its long-term lead back.

The Wolverines could have multiple backs get carries if no one separates from the pack, but the coaching staff prefers to have one guy shoulder the load.

Jackson said Sunday he already has decided on a third-down back, but declined to name him. Borges said Tuesday that Smith is "certainly a candidate" for that role.

Defenders stay in position
Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said last week he wouldn't hesitate to execute a position change if it gave him a better chance to get the best 11 players on the field at once.

Tuesday, he said he didn't foresee any drastic changes being needed, although small shifts, such as going from outside linebacker to rush backer, could still be in the fold.

The only known position of camp so far is Brandon Herron, who announced in an online video published by the school he had switched to weak-side linebacker. The fifth-year senior had started at strong-side linebacker in the spring, then moved to the middle before settling in on the weak-side.

Khoury backing up Molk
Little-used senior Rocko Khoury got some work at center during Tuesday's practice. All-Big Ten performer David Molk, a fifth-year senior, is solidly entrenched as the starter there, and is considered one of the best centers in the country.

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.