Six Syracuse players didn’t practice on Monday. A handful watched from the sideline — offensive guard Rob Trudo was off the field as Omari Palmer took his place in drills and linebacker Josh Kirkland watched from the side, as well. But the larger questions were about the ones who were absent, particularly a pair of transfers.

Wide receiver Quinta Funderburk, an Arkansas transfer, and JUCO defensive lineman Tyler Marona were completely absent from Monday’s practice. Head coach Scott Shafer was vague as far as specifics, but he did cite injuries as the reason.

“Nothing major,” Shafer said. “We’ve got a couple upper body, a couple lower body.”

Defensive backs Josh Mims and Joe Stanard also did not practice on Monday. Stanard was injured last week, but Shafer didn’t say if the two were related.

Shafer expressed confidence in the eventual returns of all six players who sat out on Monday. It’s nothing that should keep any of them out for an extended period of time, he said.

“Those kids will be good,” Shafer said. “They’ll be back when the time’s right. Nothing major, though. No surgeries — nothing like that. I feel good about them.”