Notes From Spring Practice: Day 14

The Ducks put finishing touches on the practice side of things this spring on Wednesday, as the team prepares for the highly anticipated spring game this Saturday inside Autzen Stadium.

A day in shells concluded spring practice for head coach Chip Kelly and the Ducks on Wednesday, as the team prepared to ease itself in to the spring game Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium. Though the day lacked the action present in previous practices in full pads, Kelly said the goal was to emphasize fundamentals and improve tempo and overall knowledge of schemes.

To determine the sides for the Saturday's game, the coaching staff conducted a draft to evenly distribute the talent on the team, according to Kelly.

"We did it by position," said Kelly of the spring game draft process, "so you couldn't with your first pick take Darron Thomas and your second pick take Bryan Bennett. If someone took Darron, the other team had to take the other kid. We had to break it up that way so you don't stockpile positions and don't have enough guys to even it out."

Maybe the biggest news coming out of Wednesday's practice was the return of previously suspended walk-on quarterback, Dustin Haines. Haines, who was suspended indefinitely nearly two weeks ago for his arrest and charge for excessive noise, interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest during a weekend party, was back at practice Wednesday, with Kelly telling members of the media that Haines' punishment has been meted out.

"Yep, he's returned," Kelly stated. "We'll handle his punishment internally, we know the situation and we'll take care of it from there."

On the injury front, Kelly said that he doesn't anticipate any of the injuries that were suffered by players during spring practice to carry over in to August and the beginning of fall camp. Most notably, players such as defensive ends Terrell Turner (foot) and Tony Washington (knee), as well as wide receiver Josh Huff (knee), have all missed considerable time this spring nursing their respective ailments.

Notes:

Saturday's spring game will kickoff at 1:00 pm Pacific time inside Autzen Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and spring game festivities include a two-hour "Fan Fest" prior to the scrimmage inside the Moshofsky Center, beginning at 11:00 am. The day itself will once again honor the men, women and families of the United States Armed Forces and admission to the scrimmage with be three non-perishable food items. Food donations will be donated to Food for Lane County.

Follow Chris Courtney on Twitter at eDuckCCourtney