[OutsiderFan]

Reading between the lines on Shaw's comments, my guess is he expects Burkett will return for the USC game. He was asked if it's "possible" Burkett would miss the first two games. Shaw answered by saying "it's possible" in a tone that suggested he didn't really agree it would be two games. When you consider SDSU is a non-conference game and USC is a conference one, this makes a lot of sense.

A 5th year Senior who has started for two seasons simply doesn't need to be participating in August practice or playing in a non-conference game. It makes sense to err on the side of caution. This also gives more reps to the younger backups. 

Speaking of that, more reading between more lines of more Shaw comments... It does seem Shaw thinks Dalman is the better long-term answer at Center than Chaffin, but that Chaffin was probably ahead of him to start practices. If Burkett was playing now, Chaffin would be the backup and Dalman getting 3rd team  reps. That would slow his development a bit.

As it is, Dalman is getting more reps and increasing his chances of supplanting Chaffin as the #2 Center. Whether he does or not remains to be seen, but it seems Dalman is being given every opportunity to start against SDSU.

[OutsiderFan]

Reading between the lines on Shaw's comments, my guess is he expects Burkett will return for the USC game. He was asked if it's "possible" Burkett would miss the first two games. Shaw answered by saying "it's possible" in a tone that suggested he didn't really agree it would be two games. When you consider SDSU is a non-conference game and USC is a conference one, this makes a lot of sense.

A 5th year Senior who has started for two seasons simply doesn't need to be participating in August practice or playing in a non-conference game. It makes sense to err on the side of caution. This also gives more reps to the younger backups. 

Speaking of that, more reading between more lines of more Shaw comments... It does seem Shaw thinks Dalman is the better long-term answer at Center than Chaffin, but that Chaffin was probably ahead of him to start practices. If Burkett was playing now, Chaffin would be the backup and Dalman getting 3rd team  reps. That would slow his development a bit.

As it is, Dalman is getting more reps and increasing his chances of supplanting Chaffin as the #2 Center. Whether he does or not remains to be seen, but it seems Dalman is being given every opportunity to start against SDSU.