This time last year, Arizona State was a walking MASH unit. The club had already lost top cornerback Omar Bolden (ACL), top linebacker Brandon Magee (Achilles), starting receiver T.J. Simpson (ACL) and a few other players before the season had even started.

The situation is nowhere near as dire this year in Tempe and it’s a good thing because the Sun Devils are far thinner than they were a year ago. All the same, there are some concerns as ASU prepares for its Aug. 30 opener against Northern Arizona.

RB Cameron Marshall (hamstring): Coach Todd Graham raised eyebrows earlier in camp when he announced the Sun Devils would no longer be tackling Marshall in camp. Graham chalked it up to fatigue, but it was later revealed that Marshall is battling a balky hamstring. Marshall fought through ankle, knee and hamstring issues last season and had surgery this spring on his ankle. He is expected to be the workhorse of the offense, perhaps the most important player on the entire unit. ASU needs him at 100 percent.

DT Corey Adams (back): The time line on Adams’ return is unclear. Adams told Doug Haller of the Arizona Republic he could miss a few weeks. Graham said it wouldn’t be that long. Regardless, with junior college transfer Mike Pennel also nursing an injury, ASU has penciled in true freshman Jaxon Hood as a starter until Adams returns. The coaching staff has praised Hood, but that’s typical hyperbole for a guy you know is going to need every ounce of confidence to tackle a daunting challenge. Adams hasn't practiced since Aug. 7.

RBs Marion Grice (turf toe) & Deantre Lewis (undisclosed): The Sun Devils are deep in the backfield, but not so deep that they can afford three guys sitting out. Grice is expected back for the season opener although he has battled the painful injury for a while. Lewis still hasn’t recaptured the magic from 2010 after being shot in the buttocks/hamstring in the 2011 offseason and missing all of last year.

Other injury concerns: WR Kyle Middlebrooks (shoulder) and CB Deveron Carr (shoulder). Carr actually isn’t suffering from any injuries at the moment, but he’s had multiple issues with his shoulder and the Devils are perilously thin at cornerback. Carr is expected to start along with Osahon Irabor.

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