BOULDER — Bernard Jackson's missed practice time could jeopardize his status for the University of Colorado's Sept. 1 opener against Colorado State.

Eric Kiesau, CU's passing game coordinator/receivers coach, said the offensive captain is in danger of falling behind players who have not missed work during preseason camp. Jackson was not at Monday's 60-minute walk-through at Folsom Field.

"We've got other guys who are doing good things, so how do you justify, if he's eligible, bringing 'B-Jax' back in?" Kiesau said. "It's not really fair to the other guys making plays."

Coach Dan Hawkins said game-planning for CSU is scheduled to begin today, which should sharpen the Buffaloes' focus in the final week of a grueling camp.

"Guys will start seeing some relevancy to (practices) and develop a sense of urgency," Hawkins said. "Usually that's when guys start going, 'OK, we're going to be doing this (in a game) in a couple of weeks, I'd better get it right.' "

But with only 10 days of practice scheduled before the opener, Jackson could be running out of time to find a Game 1 niche.

At best, he was an on-and-off participant for the first two weeks of August camp, missing the entire first week while summer school still was in session.

He has not participated in either major camp scrimmage but has said on several occasions he expects to be OK academically.

Hawkins said Monday he had no further word on summer session grades, later adding he was "waiting to see how (Jackson's status) plays out."

Jackson, CU's starting quarterback in 11 of 12 games in 2006, is slotted for a utility offensive role; when present, he has been used as a tailback, receiver and return specialist. Coaches also talked about giving him a look at safety.

But CU's first camp depth chart, released Sunday, showed him fourth in Kiesau's "x" grouping, and Jackson was not listed at any other position.

At receiver, he trails Patrick Williams, Cody Crawford and Stephone Robinson. Also, injured freshman Josh Smith (bruised kidney; out indefinitely) plays the "x" spot, so Jackson likely is fifth.

Kiesau said Jackson "is very athletic, and I think we'll try to find a spot for him, whether it's the first game or the third game. (But) what we're really focused on is getting him academically healthy."

Hawkins has said players' academic issues always take precedence over practice, and Kiesau added, "It would be a moot point to have them come out and practice if they're ineligible and can't play."

SMITH UPDATE: After spending a third night in a hospital for observation, Smith is expected to be released today.

Hawkins visited Smith on Sunday night and said he "was great . . . he just has such a great countenance to him. He's going to minimize anything that's wrong with him and maximize his mental, psychological and emotional situation."

Kiesau said CU's medical personnel cannot give an approximate time for Smith's return.

"With this kind of injury, you don't know," he said. "You have to take a new test every week and see how it's healing. It's kind of a week-to-week deal.

"You have to see how it heals, then if he can take contact. It's frustrating from one point, but we've got to make sure he's safe and not push him."

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466