Spring practice is an exciting time for coaches and fans. It’s a chance to see what young players can do, find out who will step into the shoes of departed seniors or NFL draft entrants, what position groups will look like. It’s also a period that carries the risk of injury, as is any time that players strap on the pads and hit each other.

While there have been no spring injuries to major SEC stars as of yet, some players are already dinged up, while others are sitting out spring to deal with pre-existing injuries. Let’s run down some of the most noteworthy injuries and how they could affect the upcoming season.

Alabama – CB Cyrus Jones and Denzel Devall

Jones could be back after Alabama returns from spring break, but the starting cornerback’s hip injury opens up first-team reps for young players Marlon Humphrey and Tony Brown, creating more competition for incumbent Eddie Jackson. After struggling last year, Alabama’s secondary could use the boost from Humphrey and Brown gaining experience, while the competition will push Jackson as well.

Alabama was without Devall, a rising senior, for a long stretch of last year due to injury. He was spotted with a cast on his leg at the start of spring practice, though Nick Saban didn’t address the injury before Alabama broke for spring break. The players who stepped up to replace him are mostly back, save for Xzavier Dickson, so it will be mostly business as usual for the Tide in that department.

Missouri — WR Nate Brown and TE Sean Culkin

The Tigers have suffered a slew of injuries, but Brown and Culkin mark the two most significant due to their roles. Missouri needs pass catchers, and these two are expected to be among Maty Mauk’s biggest targets come fall. Culkin’s injury, a low-grade shoulder separation, is the less severe of the two, and he could return to practice soon.

Brown, a rising sophomore, could be out through the end of March after suffering an MCL strain. If Brown does return when Mizzou gets back from spring break on March 31, he’ll still have two weeks and the spring game to get up to speed with Mauk.

Ole Miss — LT Laremy Tunsil

After breaking his leg in the Rebels’ bowl game, Tunsil will miss the entire spring, as will guard Aaron Morris. Simply put, Ole Miss needs Tunsil, one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. The Rebels return all five offensive line starters, but Tunsil is the key to their success. Since Tunsil is expected to make a full recovery in time for fall, the absences on the line will allow the team to develop competent backups in case the injury bug bites Ole Miss again in 2015.

Tennessee — DEs Derek Barnett and Kyle Phillips, DE/LB Curt Maggitt, LB Darrin Kirkland Jr., RB Jalen Hurd, WR Marquez North

The Volunteers have a laundry list of players who will either miss spring practice or have limitations on them during workouts. For a young team, that’s not the best news.

Maggitt and Barnett, the best pass-rushing pair in the SEC last season, are expected to bookend the defensive line and provide leadership for the defense. While their absences will surely be noted, as Barnett underwent surgery for a pre-existing injury and Maggitt for a shoulder injury, both players are already established stars.

The same can’t be said for Phillips and Kirkland, star recruits from the 2015 class who enrolled early to get a jump on the 2015 season. Now, instead of coming into the fall with a month of practice under their belts, the two blue-chip signees will have the same level of experience as any other freshman. Phillips injury is especially difficult to deal with, as it leaves the Vols with just five scholarship defensive linemen available this spring.

On offense, two of Tennessee’s biggest playmakers are going to be limited this spring. Hurd was a breakout star last year, while North is expected to be a top target for quarterback Joshua Dobbs. New OC Mike DeBord would certainly like to be able to work his troops with no restrictions.

At this point, Jones has already restructured the spring game to compensate for the lack of depth at running back, receiver and defensive line, and the Vols need to hope they can escape spring without any more significant injuries.

Texas A&M — C Mike Matthews

A two-year starter at center, Matthews will apparently miss spring drills due to surgery for an undisclosed injury. Kevin Sumlin doesn’t seem concerned, telling reporters he knows what Matthews can do and indicated the rising senior would be fine for fall.

However, the Aggies are reshuffling their line for 2015, saying goodbye to two seniors and moving Germain Ifedi from right tackle to left. Having Matthews in spring practice would have been a boon in terms of cohesion for a line that Sumlin greatly needs to bounce back in 2015.