When Matt Summers-Gavin ended Sunday’s practice in braces and crutches after a knee injury, it put a few people on edge.

“Anytime you see something like that, you just hold your breath,” coach Jeff Tedford said after Monday’s practice, the team’s first in shells.

Fortunately for the Cal football team, its best offensive lineman will only be out for two weeks after an MRI diagnosed the injury as a bone bruise.

But when he does return to Memorial Stadium for the season opener against UC Davis on, the sophomore won’t be returning to the left tackle spot he saw in spring. Instead, junior Mitchell Schwartz will reprise the role he frequented in 2008.

Senior Donovan Edwards is expected to step into right tackle, while the rest of the line is still unsettled.

“We got a lot of guys in the mix,” Tedford said. “Very competitive to find out who’s going to be the top eight guys.”

Fresh Catches

Five-star recruit Keenan Allen has been expected to step in right away, and his transition has gone well through the first three days of practice. Running mostly sideline routes on Monday, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound freshman used his length to make grabs over defenders, his movements looking natural and smooth early on in practice.

So much that Tedford has backtracked on his comments in spring that Allen would also see reps in nickel formations; the player tabbed by Rivals.com as the top safety in his class will stick to offense throughout fall camp.

“I’ve actually talked to the coach about it,” Allen said. “First they want me to learn all the receiver stuff, get it down, dominate it, and then they’re gonna look at me at the nickel.

Added Tedford: “Keenan’s got enough to handle right now.”

There’s at least one thing he’ll miss about playing defensive back: “Just catching the interception, taking it back.”

While all eyes will be glued to the talented North Carolina native, who should move up the depth chart during the next two weeks, the Bears’ other wideout recruits have also made an impression.

Tevin Carter and Kaelin Clay both excelled as high school track athletes, while JUCO standout Coleman Edmond often sped past defenders while at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif.

“They’re all unbelievable,” backup quarterback Beau Sweeney said. “I think that, personally, it’s speed that I have never played with. I feel like it’s a very nice complement to our veteran receivers.”

Running back Isi Sofele also echoed those sentiments, naming Clay along with redshirt freshman cornerback Steve Williams as the team’s fastest players.

Quick Hits

-Williams, who saw time receiving kicks and punts during practice, said he prefers the former: “You got guys blocking for you. You don’t have to see who’s coming, fair catch it.”

-With Tyson Alualu now in the NFL, defensive end Cameron Jordan – who has been sporting a high-top this fall – has started balancing his new role as a leader with his “jokester” persona.

“You have to love the mix of that right now,” Tedford said. “He still has a great personality. He’s fun to be around, but when it’s time to work, he’s working. He’s a great example for the rest of these guys.

-Running back Shane Vereen is still day-to-day with a tight hamstring, while fullback Will Kapp has also yet to return from a concussion suffered during summer workouts. Linebacker D.J. Holt sat out Monday with a twinged hamstring.