Often, knee injuries inflict as much mental damage as physical.

So the fact that Texas A&M defensive tackle Red Bryant wasn’t dominating the trenches earlier this season can’t be too much of a surprise, even though A&M’s big man in the middle has been a force since his freshman year in 2004.

Bryant wrecked his knee at the end of last season and had surgery, forcing him out of the Holiday Bowl and into a lengthy rehabilitation program.

He has bounced back nicely, starting all eight of Texas A&M’s games in 2007. His play could be a big factor in the plan to disrupt the pocket when Texas A&M and Kansas University clash at 6 p.m. today in College Station, Texas.

“I think he’s back,” Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione said of Bryant. “I think early in the year, the first three or four games in the month of September, he probably was feeling his way, getting back into the flow of the game at full speed and being game-tested and battle-tested.”

Bryant has just two tackles the last two weeks, though he claims film dissection proves that teams are starting to avoid him. That might be the case after Bryant registered eight stops against Oklahoma State in a 24-23 Aggies victory.

That game, Bryant said, offered the turning point for his health he desperately needed.

“The reason I say Oklahoma State is, they do a great job with their blocking schemes,” Bryant said. “It was a hurry-up offense, and it felt like we were in the two-minute drill. You really just had to push yourself.”

So, really, the mental roadblock that’s inevitable with a knee injury had no choice but to scram.

The Jayhawks present a unique challenge in Bryant’s eyes: KU quarterback Todd Reesing’s improvisation is unlike any opposing quarterback the Aggies have faced to this point.

“He’s able to feel pocket pressure,” Bryant said. “We watched games against Kansas State and Colorado, two teams that were able to close the pocket on him, and he was able to make plays with his feet.

“Before now, all the other quarterbacks really stayed in the pocket and made plays from the pocket. This is the first time all year we’re really going to have to be conscious of trying to contain him and keeping him in the pocket.”

Which makes Bryant’s physical and mental health even more critical. The 6-foot-5, 324-pound Jasper, Texas, native says his knee has proven to be fine with every one of his 29 tackles this season.

As for the head? Well, it’s getting there.

“It’s been a continual battle,” Bryant said, “but I feel good going into the last phase of the season. Real good.”