AUDIO: Head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Keith Price talk about the first practice of spring ball. Audio available here.

by Curtis Crabtree
KJR reporter
Twitter: @Curtis_Crabtree

MONTLAKE - QB Keith Price took the field for the first practice of spring on Monday wearing the brace on his knee that was a constant throughout most of last season.

It didn't take long for Price to shed the brace altogether and get back to practicing without inhibition.

Price appeared to pick up right where he left off last season with an additional increased mobility.

"I thought he looked explosive. I thought he looked strong," head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "...The key for Keith isn't about today or Wednesday for that matter. In my mind, I'm thinking October and November. How do we keep building him up to stay strong for an extended period of time."

Price said he feels the best he's felt since his freshman season and said the blame for the injuries falls on him for taking more hits than he should have a year ago. Price said the injury he had typically takes 6-8 weeks to recover from, and yet, he played through it.

Eight players were held out of practice Monday with no real surprises. WR Kevin Smith (knee), RB/LB Ryan McDaniel (knee), RB Deontae Cooper (knee), DE Hau'oli Jamora (knee), OL Colin Tanigawa (knee), OL Colin Porter (shoulders) and DT Semisi Tokolahi (foot) are expected to miss all of spring practice. LB Alec Kimble (foot) was wearing a boot on his foot.

In addition, three players, S James Sample (shoulder), S Travis Feeney (shoulder) and LB/FB Cooper Pelluer (shoulder), were all limited and in red non-contact jerseys.

OL Erik Kohler will be limited throughout spring with what Sarkisian called "nagging injuries," but he was running with the second team offense at left guard.

Here's a look at a completely unofficial depth chart based on practice this morning, but take it with a grain of salt, Sarkisian said they are tinkering with things and there is no current depth chart.

First Team Offense

QB Keith Price
RB Jesse Callier / RB Bishop Sankey
FB Jonathan Amosa
WR James Johnson
WR Kasen Williams
WR Cody Bruns / WR Marvin Hall
TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins
LT Micah Hatchie
LG Dexter Charles
C Drew Schaefer
RG James Atoe
RT Ben Riva

First Team Defense

DE Andrew Hudson
NT Danny Shelton
DE Talia Crichton
DE/OLB Josh Shirley
MLB Princeton Fuimaono
MLB John Timu
OLB Taz Stevenson
CB Desmond Trufant
CB Greg Ducre / CB Marcus Peters
FS Justin Glenn
SS Sean Parker

Second Team Offense

QB Derrick Brown
RB Antavius Sims / RB Dezden Petty
FB Cole Sager
WR DiAndre Campbell
WR Josh Perkins
WR William Chandler
TE Michael Hartvigson / TE Evan Hudson
LT James Atoe
LG Erik Kohler
C Mike Criste
RG Siosifa Tufunga
RT Dexter Charles

Second Team Defense

DE Sione Potoae
NT Lawrence Lagafuaina
DE Jarrett Finau
DE/OLB Corey Waller
MLB Jamaal Kearse
MLB Thomas Tutogi
OLB Scott Lawyer
CB Tre Watson
CB Anthony Gobern
FS Nate Fellner
SS Will Shamburger