Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 5 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.
There is an incredible slate of games in Week 5 of the college football season, as the conference matchups really begin to go into full swing. There are some top-10 matchups, big rivalry games, and of course a few cupcakes sprinkled in. There are also some big names who could be on the shelf in Week 5, so keep an eye out prior to kickoff.
Some of the key matchups are No. 7 Stanford at No. 10 Washington, No. 8 Wisconsin at No. 4 Michigan, and No. 3 Louisville at No. 5 Clemson. Talk about a huge slate of games, as the landscape of the top-25 is sure to change after Week 5.
Here is a look at some key players who may be out of commission this weekend.
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Quarterbacks
Luke Del Rio, Florida: Del Rio will likely miss his second straight game, as the Gators will go with Austin Appleby at quarterback against Vanderbilt. Del Rio will only be used in emergency situations, which barring an injury, should not be needed. Hopefully he will be back for their home tilt against LSU next week.
Sefo Liufau, Colorado: The Colorado Buffaloes have been a nice surprise this season, and it is largely due to the play of Liufau. However, he is still battling an ankle injury, and backup Steven Montez was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week in his absence last week. He is still questionable for Saturday’s matchup against Oregon State.
Anu Solomon, Arizona: Once again, the Arizona Wildcats will be without Anu Solomon. The quarterback is still nursing a knee injury, and the team will once again turn to Brandon Dawkins. Dawkins has been incredible in Solomon’s absence, and may retain the job even when he gets back.
Shane Buechele, Texas: The Longhorns have a tough matchup against Oklahoma State this weekend, are hoping to have their freshman quarterback under center. Buechele injured his chest last week, and has been limited at practice this week. He has been a great story for the 22nd-ranked Longhorns, and should be in the lineup this weekend.
Running Backs
Leonard Fournette, LSU: Fournette has not practiced all week, and there is still no word as to whether he will play on Saturday. The LSU Tigers fired head coach Les Miles this past week, and will be taking on Missouri at home in Week 5. The Tigers are hoping to get their star running back back in the lineup before the season slips away.
Damien Harris, Alabama: Alabama head coach Nick Saban is hoping to have Harris back this week, after the running back has been limited due to an ankle injury. The Crimson Tide will take on Kentucky this week, so it actually is not a pressing matter to get Harris back. Saban has expressed confidence in Bama’s other backs if Harris cannot go.
Nick Chubb, Georgia: The Georgia Bulldogs may be without star running back Nick Chubb on Saturday, as he continues to battle an ankle injury sustained last week. The team is hoping to get him back this week, as they battle SEC rival Tennessee. Chubb has already had his fair share of games lost to injury, and another one could cost them the game against the Vols.
Nick Wilson, Arizona: The Wildcats have been without their star running back for a couple weeks now, and may be without him again on Saturday. Wilson missed the last game with an ankle injury and it is undetermined if he will play against UCLA. The game is a big Pac-12 matchup, and playing without Wilson would be a devastating blow.
Wide Receivers
Janarion Grant, Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights could be in for a long day on Saturday, as they travel to Ohio to take on the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. To make matters worse, they will be without their best offensive weapon, as Janarion Grant is out for the season. Grant hurt his ankle in last week’s loss to Iowa.
Trent Taylor, Louisiana Tech: Taylor is one of the better wide receivers in college football, but he goes unnoticed because he plays for the Bulldogs. However, he has put up incredible numbers in 2016, and is shooting for 100 receptions. He hurt his thigh last week, but is expected to be good when Louisiana Tech takes on UTEP this weekend.
Ja’Quay Savage, Louisville: The Cardinals have another huge game this week, as they travel to Death Valley to take on fifth-ranked Clemson. Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been incredible this season, but he may be without one of his weapons on Saturday. Ja’Quay Savage is battling a shoulder injury, and may miss the game.
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina: Samuel has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but is likely to play Saturday against Texas A&M. Samuel is a big part of what the Gamecocks try to do on offense, so getting him back should give the team a huge jolt. The hamstring issue has been nagging him all season, and hopefully he can put it in the rearview mirror going forward.
Tight Ends
Jake Roh, Boise State: The Broncos had an active Roh back last week against Oregon State, but he did not factor much in the passing game. Roh had missed the first two games of the season for Boise State, as he has battled a leg injury all season. He is expected to be a full go for Saturday’s Mountain West opener against Utah State.
Noah Togiai, Oregon State: Unfortunately for the Beaver, Togiai saw his season end due to a knee injury this past week. He left the Idaho State game a few weeks back with the injury, and is now done for the season. Togiai was a huge part of their offense, and replacing him as the H-Back is going to be a tall order.
Jon Mundt, Oregon: Oregon’s offense looked good last week, despite being without some huge weapons. Wide receiver Devon Allen and running back Royce Freeman both did not play, and Jon Mundt also missed the game. He has battled a knee injury all season, and is listed as questionable once again this weekend.
Defensive Stars
Daniel McMillan, Florida: McMillan could possibly miss the Vanderbilt game on Saturday, as he continues to be hobbled by an ankle injury. Like last week against Tennessee, McMillan is questionable to play, and would be sorely missed once again. If he cannot go Saturday, the Gators will definitely need him the following week, as Leonard Fournette and LSU come to town.
Denzel Johnson, Clemson: The Clemson Tigers are fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and have a tall order on deck in Week 5. Lamar Jackson and the third-ranked Louisville Cardinals are heading to Death Valley to take on the Tigers, who will be without one of their top defensive backs. Denzel Johnson will miss the huge matchup against the Cardinals on Saturday.
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Josh Sweat, Florida State: As the Seminoles were getting ready to take on Louisville two weeks ago, star defensive end Josh Sweat injured his knee. The injury required surgery on his meniscus, which he underwent on Thursday. Despite the injury, Sweat has made a nice recovery, and is expected to play this Saturday.
Bryan Mone, Michigan: The Wolverines have another tough matchup on Saturday, as they face one of the best teams in the country. Eighth-ranked Wisconsin will head to the Big House to take on Michigan, who may be without Bryan Mone again. Mone has missed the last three games with a knee injury, and is questionable for Saturday.