The University of Memphis closes its 15-session spring practice with Saturday’s Blue Gray Scrimmage. (And, yes, it’s a scrimmage, not a game).

Tiger coach Tommy West said after Friday’s workout at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium that a rash of injuries might limit the length of the scrimmage.

Receiver Duke Calhoun (knee), running back T.J. Pitts (ankle) and linebacker Tommy Phelps (chest) were among the higher-profile players who didn’t participate in spring practice because of injuries. Linebacker Josh Weaver (shoulder) and offensive lineman Dominik Riley (knee) were injured during the spring. None of the five will play in the scrimmage.

“We’re still banged up a little bit,” West said. “If it gets too bad, we just won’t be here very long.”

As for those who will play and what to watch for:

***The Quarterbacks: Arkelon Hall, the junior college transfer, and Matt Malouf, the sophomore-to-be, have been competing from the start the competition will resume in August. Hall owns a quick release and throws from various arm angles, mostly sidearm. Malouf is emerging as an accurate thrower and, as most know from watching him a year ago, is an adept runner.

***The Running Backs: Pick up a roster sheet that U of M sports information staff will provide. There’s no Joe Doss (he completed his eligibility) and there’s no T.J. Pitts (see injury list above). That leaves junior college transfer Curtis Steele, who sat out last season as a redshirt; Jeremy Longstreet, a converted linebacker; and Mike Davis, a freshman from Franklin, Tenn. Steele is the speediest of the trio, Longstreet has made strides since making the switch last month and Davis has the potential to be a powerful back.

***The Defense: Even with Weaver and Phelps out, this unit has been the story of the spring behind first-year coordinator Tim Walton. It’s been an aggressive, attacking unit not afraid to play press-man coverage.