October 23, 2001
Sophomore defensive back Dawon Gentry will miss the rest of the 2001 season because of a herniated disk in his back, Aggie head coach R.C. Slocum said after practice on Tuesday.
Gentry, from Denison, Texas, saw action in six of A&M's seven games this season, missing only last week's Kansas State contest. He was listed as senior Jay Brooks' backup at free safety and was the Aggies' top punt returner.
"Dawon went to Dallas for some tests and we learned that he has a herniated disk and will miss the remainder of the season," Slocum said. "He is a bright young player and he was making a lot of progress. He originally injured his back at the High School All Star game and he re-aggravated it this season."
Returning to practice was starting free safety Jay Brooks, who didn't dress for the KSU game due to a strained groin, and defensive lineman Linnis Smith, who missed the last two games due to a high ankle sprain.
Missing practice were: defensive end Evan Perroni, outside linebacker Jarrod Penright, offensive tackle Andre Brooks, outside linebacker Jesse Hunnicutt, wide receiver Richard Whitaker and wide receiver Greg Porter.
Slocum said that Porter, who has missed the past three games with a broken foot, did some light jogging at practice on Tuesday but will not play against Iowa State on Saturday.