A week from today, the Pitt Panthers will open their season against soon-to-be Big East rival South Florida in Tampa, Fla. But even though their first game looms and training camp is over, the Panthers have a number of positions that are open.

Andy Starnes, Post-Gazette Pitt offensive lineman Rob Petitti, right, blocks defensive lineman Azzie Beagnyam in a scrimmage last week at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on the South Side. Click photo for larger image. More Pitt Coverage: Ron Cook: Pitt-Penn State series is bigger than Paterno

"Are we ready? No coach ever thinks they are ready," Pitt coach Walt Harris said Friday. "But we've had a lot of guys injured so it has been hard to get a lot of the things we needed to get done during this camp. We've made some progress, but we still have a ways to go before we're ready to play a game.

"It is never easy when you have guys out, but it when you have a young team like us, it makes it more difficult."

One thing is certain -- the Panthers arent't very deep.

Take the running back situation.

Coming into camp, tailback was supposed to be one of the Panthers' deepest positions. There were two players vying for the starting job and both had been starters in the past. There also was a talented freshman waiting in the wings and a fullback capable of stepping in if needed.

As camp wraps up, there is only one player remaining -- Ray Kirkley -- who is healthy and proven. Jawan Walker, who was supposed to battle Kirkley for the starting job, is academically ineligible and freshman Brandon Mason, who was having an excellent camp, has an injured thumb and is out for the foreseeable future.

Fullback Tim Murphy, who also was going to get some carries at tailback, also has been banged up and had missed the latter part of training camp. Murphy is expected to be ready to come game time, but with no experienced fullbacks on the roster, an injury to Kirkley could be devastating.

"We don't have enough running backs," Harris said. "We're thin there, but the ones who have played have played hard. I do think Ray Kirkley has had a very good camp, so we'll go from there."

Injuries also have left the offensive line vulnerable, but may have created more depth than even the coaches believed they had. With so many guys hurt, it gave coaches a chance to take a longer look at some underclassmen and backups and some may have played their way onto the depth chart.

Three tackles, Dale Williams, Rob Petitti and Mike McGlynn are going to have to carry the load. McGlynn missed some of camp with a knee injury and Petitti has been struggling with a sore shoulder.

An injury to any of the three during the season would mean junior Joe Villani, a walk-on transfer from Bucknell, would be thrust into action.

Matt Maiers has had an excellent camp at guard and John Simonitis, who missed some of camp with an injury, was the starting right guard last year. The two, along with converted defensive tackle Charles Spencer, will start the season in the mix at guard and will be joined at some point by senior Rob Frederick, who is injured.

After that the picture is a little more fuzzy.

"We have to stay healthy, but we have to stay healthy at a lot of positions," Harris said. "I think Charles is starting to come around. The more he learns, the more experience he gets, the better player he'll be. Matt Maiers played once for us last year and did a great job, so I have confidence in him as well.

"We need both of our younger tackles [Williams and McGlynn] to be able to swing to both sides , and they've both been able to do that so far. If we stay healthy, we have a chance."

One other player Pitt needs to keep on the field is sophomore middle linebacker Clint Session. Backup Derron Thomas has some talent, but no experience. Coaches are hoping to break Thomas in slowly because the middle linebacker must make all of the defensive calls and make sure everyone on the defense is aligned properly.

Despite this being a game week, Harris said there are still a number of starting jobs up for grabs. This is especially true at corner, at receiver and at kicker.

"We want guys to continue to strive," Harris said. "We have a good idea about some things, and if certain players continue to do what they've done, they'll likely be the starter. But we don't want anyone thinking they can coast right now and some of those positions have a lot of guys who are competing hard."