College Football Injury Report: Week 13

Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 13 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.

It is already Week 13 of the college football season, and we are inching ever so close to the conference championship games. This week will feature some huge rivalry games, including the Iron Bowl that will match Alabama against Auburn. Over in the Pac-12, Washington will take on Washington State, in a game that could vault the Huskies into the College Football Playoff.

This late in the season, there are bound to be injuries, so let’s take a look at some key players who may, or may not play this week.

Quarterbacks

Anu Solomon, Arizona

Solomon made his first start since the season opener last week, but it did not last very long. He had to leave the game with an injury to his toe, and it is unclear whether he will be under center against Arizona State this weekend. It has been a down year for the Wildcats, who are winless in Pac-12 play.

Wilton Speight, Michigan

The loss of Speight loomed large last week, as the Wolverines were taken to  the limit against Michigan State. He is dealing with a collarbone injury and may be out the rest of the season. There is a possibility he could be back if the team reaches the College Football Playoff.

Tommy Armstrong Jr., Nebraska

The highs and lows of the Nebraska season have mirrored the year of their quarterback, who will likely be back under center this week. Armstrong missed last week’s game with ankle and hamstring injuries, but head coach Mike Riley was very optimistic that his quarterback will be ready to go against Iowa.

Eric Dungey, Syracuse

The Syracuse Orange are just not a very good team without Dungey, who has missed the last two games. Dungey got knocked out of the Clemson game and is still battling back from a concussion. He is uncertain to play against Pitt this weekend.

Riley Ferguson, Memphis

Ferguson and the Tigers are fun to watch when they are rolling, as he has put together some nice games this season. Although he did practice this week, he is still dealing with a head injury, and it is questionable whether or not he will be able to go vs Houston this weekend.

Running Backs

Bo Scarbrough, Alabama

The Crimson Tide will take on Auburn in the Iron Bowl this weekend, and they will likely have their hulking running back in the lineup. Scarbrough has missed the last two games with a knee injury, but he is listed as probable for the big game on Saturday. Alabama is one of two remaining undefeated teams in college football.

Kamryn Pettway, Auburn

The key to Auburn’s success this weekend will be Kamryn Pettway, who is expected to be ready to go. Pettway has dealt with a hamstring injury and has missed the last two games. It will be a tall order for the Tigers this weekend, but having Pettway back will be huge.

Saquon Barkley, Penn State

Penn State has vaulted back into the national spotlight, and it is mostly due to the play of their star running back. Barkley had to leave the last game for precautionary reasons, but the team expects to have him against Michigan State this week. Barkley and the Nittany Lions are trying to grab one of the coveted four College Football Playoff spots.

Jamaal Williams, BYU

One of the biggest stars in college football, senior Jamaal Williams will be back this week to play for BYU. Williams had dealt with an ankle injury, but he was able to return to practice in preparation for Utah State. He will be featured in the Senior Bowl in a couple of weeks as well, as he tries to make an impression on NFL scouts.

Justin Stockton, Texas Tech

It has been a disappointing year for Stockton, who many expected to take the next step this season as a junior. Instead, he has rushed for only 142 yards and is listed as doubtful for this week’s game. The Red Raiders will close out their regular season against Baylor on Friday.

Wide Receivers

Torii Hunter Jr., Notre Dame

The captain of the Fighting Irish is uncertain to play this weekend, as his team takes on rival USC. Hunter is hobbled by a knee injury that forced him to miss the team’s last game. The Irish are having a terrible season, and coach Brian Kelly may be gone in the offseason.

Victor Boldin Jr., Oregon State

Oregon State has played better football as of late, and are coming off of their biggest win of the season. They will take on Oregon this week in a huge rivalry game, as they should have their star wide receiver back. Boldin does a bit of everything for the Beavers, who appear to be trending up for next season.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC

A probable first round selection in next April’s draft, Smith-Schuster has really come on since the team made the move to Sam Darnold at starting quarterback. JuJu left the UCLA game with an unspecified injury, though he is expected back for the team’s rivalry game against Notre Dame this weekend.

River Cracraft, Washington State

The biggest weapon for Luke Falk and the high-octane Washington State offense, Cracraft will have to watch the rest of the season from the sidelines. Cracraft tore his ACL recently and will have to be a spectator for the team’s huge game against Washington this week. The Cougars have been one of the better feel-good stories of the 2016 college football season.

Austin Carr, Northwestern

The best wide receiver in the Big Ten, Austin Carr and his Northwestern Wildcats will have to play the waiting game to see if he will suit up against Illinois. Carr is listed as day-to-day, and it will be a big loss to the team if he cannot go. He is dealing with a head injury and is questionable to be on the field on Saturday.

Defensive Stars

Malik McDowell, Michigan State

Malik McDowell is considered on of the best NFL draft prospects at his position, but he has struggled to stay on the field this season. The Michigan State defensive lineman is doubtful for the team’s game against Penn State, which could prove to be too much for the team to overcome. The Spartans will face one of the best running backs in the country on Saturday.

Malik Jefferson, Texas

It has been an emotional season for the Texas Longhorns, who will likely say goodbye to their beloved coach at the end of the season. The team will likely be without star linebacker Malik Jefferson on Friday, as he continues to deal with a concussion. He sat out last week, and will likely finish the season on the bench again.

Johnny Ragin III, Oregon

Oregon had a huge win last week at Utah, as they got their signature W of the season. It has been an awful year for a team with so many expectations coming in. Earlier in the year, it appeared they had lost Ragin for the season due to a knee injury, but by some miracle, he is probable to return against Oregon State this weekend.

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Natrez Patrick, Georgia

Georgia will take on Georgia Tech’s triple option offense on Saturday, and they are going to need Patrick in the lineup. He still has not been cleared to play against the Yellow Jackets, as he is still fighting a shoulder injury. Georgia has had a rough season, so getting a win against the hated Yellow Jackets would be a great way to end the year.

Jarrad Davis, Florida

Davis will likely go in the first round of next April’s draft, but he will likely end the 2016 college football season on the shelf. Davis is still battling an ankle injury and is listed as doubtful for the team’s game against Florida State. The Gators will be looking to end their season with a huge win against their rival, though it may be tough without Davis’ presence in the middle of the defense.