Kevin Newsome works with first team at Temple practice

Take those fingers off the overreaction button, at least, for now.

Temple reserve quarterback Kevin Newsome is taking some snaps with the first unit in practice partly because backup Juice Granger is out with a sprained ankle.

However, Owls coach Steve Addazio has not ruled out playing the Penn State transfer in Saturday's game against Cincinnati at Lincoln Financial Field.

"I don't know that yet," Addazio said Tuesday. "He's taking a bunch of reps this week. He's got a long way to go, but he's certainly moving the needle.

"I just think that [starter] Chris [Coyer] gives us our best opportunity to operate right now."

The Bearcats (6-2, 2-1) are 11-point favorites over the Owls (3-5, 2-3), who have lost three straight.

Newsome made his first appearance late in Saturday's 45-17 setback at Louisville. He had a 42-yard run on his first play from scrimmage. Newsome rushed three times for 52 yards and did not attempt a pass.

Granger had been splitting repetitions at practice with Coyer in the previous two weeks.

"Juice has been a little dinged up," Addazio said when asked if Newsome had moved ahead of Granger on the depth chart. "He tweaked his ankle a little bit. So Kevin has been able to take those reps. I kind of view those guys as kind of being the same to me."

Coyer had three fumbles Saturday that led to 17 Louisville points, 14 of them coming in the second half. He fumbled on the Owls' first possession of the third quarter.

Nine plays later, Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's 25-yard touchdown pass to DeVante Parker gave the Cardinals a 38-17 lead.

Coyer's third fumble occurred while Temple was moving the ball. He also completed just 2 of 8 passes for 20 yards, with the completions coming on the Owls' first two drives.

Coyer was relieved in the each of the last three games. Two of his early exits were performance-based. Addazio said he hopes he doesn't have to use any of his reserve quarterbacks on Saturday.