Seni Tuiaki comes out of medical retirement to help Aggies with depleted roster

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BOISE, Idaho — Seni Tuiaki has been hurt since January, when interim coach Nate Dreiling arrived in Cache Valley to Utah State's defensive coordinator.

A lot has happened to the team since then, but Tuiaki has stayed on the sidelines. In fact, he already medically retired.

But the Aggies are so thin on defense — at defensive tackle especially — that Dreiling asked if he'd be interested in coming back.

After some reflection, Tuiaki returned. He practiced on Wednesday for the first time in two months, Dreiling said, but did not play Saturday in Utah State's 62-30 loss to Boise State.

"(He) gave us a little spark — internally, at least," Dreiling said. "I love that kid. He's one of the best people we have on this team, on and off the field."

Dreiling said Tuiaki, who has been helping coach this past month, came in sixth in the voting that determined the team's five captains. He added that the Aggies will need him moving forward this season.

"He's being very selfless and giving his body and doing what it takes to help this team have success," Dreiling said.

Defensvie tackles Taz Williams and Miguel Jackson are both out for the season with shoulder injuries, Dreiling said. Defensive end Blaine Spires will be out six weeks with a broken toe, he added.

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Alex Vejar

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