Florida State football: Fabien Lovett, Winston Wright Jr. making strides in bye week practice
A sight for sore eyes at Florida State's first practice during its bye week: Mike Norvell greeting defensive end Fabien Lovett with a "Welcome back Fabo" greeting.
Lovett has missed the past five games since suffering a lower right leg injury against LSU on the final drive.
Since then, the redshirt junior has been working his way back for the Seminoles (4-3, 2-3 ACC) and has been sorely missed during the three-game losing streak where the team has struggled to stop the run.
Lovett wasn't the only player to ramp up practice activities, with receiver Winston Wright Jr. also partaking in team drills for the first time.
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Lovett's return would finally bring the starting defensive line group back to full health. Defensive end Jared Verse missed a game this season with a left knee injury. Defensive tackles Robert Cooper and Malcolm Ray are among others who had been limited.
Norvell said Lovett got in a couple of limited practices last week.
"He tried to get some work Friday, but he wasn't going to be ready. It wouldn't be fair to him or what we're trying to do," Norvell said. "So, we held him out Saturday and we knew this week we could try to get him a little more individual (work) and then ramp it up to next week.
"I am excited about just his work, his leadership. He's such a key member to this defense and this football team, for who he is and how he plays.
"It's been hard with him out. Guys have stepped up and you've seen some good production from some younger guys. Not having him, not having (Jarrian Jones), we were a little thin in there."
Norvell credited Dennis Briggs Jr. for moving from defensive end to defensive tackle, as well as the play of Patrick Payton and Leonard Warner for stepping up in the absence of Lovett.
Lovett recorded two tackles (one solo) in the first two games against Duquesne and LSU.
His return would be a major boon for a team that has allowed at least 171 yards rushing to four of its last five opponents and an average of 180 in the three straight losses to Wake Forest, NC State and Clemson.
"Just like old Fabo," Cooper said on the return of Lovett. "He's ready to get to work.
"He brings back some numbers. It feels like we're getting back to our full lineup with D-tackles. That brings a lot of comfortability in our room."
Cooper was asked how Lovett handled his absence, and if the team had to hide his helmet.
"He definitely waited it out, played it smart and now here he is," Cooper said.
Wright's return could also be a major boost for the FSU receiving corps, aiding a group that has been among the strengths for the team already.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Seminoles are tied with Texas for the fifth-best receiving grade in FBS at 81.8.
"Winston is continuing the process of getting back," Norvell said. There are still things he's working on, but you see him doing more with each week that goes by. His heart and determination are very special."
Hybrid player Ja'Khi Douglas, who returned from an undisclosed injury for his first game action against Clemson, is also excited about where the offense could potentially go when fully healthy.
"We were confident when I wasn't in there," Douglas said of the confidence of the offense. "Bringing Winston back, bringing everyone healthy back, we're going to be dangerous."
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Ja'Khi Douglas' return
It didn't take long for Douglas to make an impact in his first game of the season. He scored on a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Travis in the fourth quarter. It pulled the Seminoles within 13 points at the time.
"I know the (defender) was playing outside leverage and we had a route that was going to the outside," Douglas said. "So, I saw he was playing outside, it had a lot of space on the inside, so I worked it to the inside, Jordan saw me and threw a touchdown."
Douglas logged 19 snaps, running routes on 13 of them. Outside of the touchdown, he also had one more target.
He said he is hoping to earn more playing time moving forward.
"I should be able to build in more snaps," Douglas said. "We're still working, still need to get into condition. I was just out there with the development group, still getting work, just to stay in shape, to go out there and perform to my max."
Douglas, who said he felt he was close to playing against NC State, said his decision to work with the development group was voluntary, though he did talk to his coaches about the decision.
He gave an honest update on how he feels after returning from a long layoff.
"I felt great physically," Douglas said. "My body was great. I haven't been running in a minute, so my legs are still dead right now. Upper body felt great (though)."
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Creating turnovers
One glaring weakness with Florida State has been its turnover margin. The Seminoles are tied for 72nd in FBS with an even turnover margin.
During their three-game losing streak, the Seminoles forced one turnover — an interception of NC State QB Devin Leary — and turned the ball over four times.
On the season, FSU has four fumble recoveries and four interceptions.
"We have to create takeaways," Norvell said. "Sometimes it's violent collisions, sometimes it's just getting the ball to the ground. We've made some explosive plays defensively and that's where it's kind of a two-fold deal.
"You have to give credit to the opponent, when you're putting pressure on somebody, when you're able to get to them and they are doing a great job of not putting the ball in jeopardy. But on the flipside, we have to be able to create those.
"We've had some opportunities. I think there have been sometimes we could be better in helping force some of that unrest. It's something we all take ownership in, whether it is coaches or players. There are opportunities and we have to create more opportunities."
Defensive backs Omarion Cooper, Kevin Knowles II, Jammie Robinson and Greedy Vance each have one interception. Linebackers Tatum Bethune and Brendan Gant, defensive end Derrick McLendon II and tight end Wyatt Rector each have a fumble recovery.
How do the Seminoles go about creating more opportunities?
"Start focusing on the little things," Robert Cooper said. "Too many mistakes. Once we start focusing on the little things, big things will start happening."
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports) and Instagram (tlhnolesports).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football: Fabien Lovett, Winston Wright Jr. making strides in practice
