College Football Injury Report: Week 7

Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 7 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.

The College Football Playoff begins to get clearer and clearer from here on out, as each week there are games with huge implications on the schedule. Last week, we saw some huge top-10 matchups, and this week features two as well. No. 1 Alabama will travel to Rocky Top to take on No. 9 Tennessee, and No. 2 Ohio State will do battle with No. 8 Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup.

As the calendar starts to get deep into October, there is about half of the season left for most of the teams in college football. Their next loss could be the one that spoils their chance at a bowl, or even the College Football Playoffs. Injuries are a huge part of the equation, and no team is immune to it.

Here is a list of some key players who may miss time this week.

Quarterbacks

Luke Del Rio, Florida: The Florida Gators will get their starting quarterback back on Saturday, as he seems to have recovered from his sprained MCL. The Gators had an extra week off due to their game against LSU being cancelled because of Hurricane Matthew, giving Del Rio some extra time. Florida plays Missouri this weekend.

Deondre Francois, Florida State: The Florida State Seminoles won a big matchup against Miami last week, though their redshirt freshman got banged up in the effort. However, Deondre Francois will be back in the lineup on Saturday, which has gained the respect of his teammates. The Seminoles will take on Wake Forest in an ACC matchup this week.

Perry Hills, Maryland: Hills suffered an injury during the Penn State game last week, which forced him to miss the entire second half. It is still unknown as to whether he will play against Minnesota,  though the redshirt senior has been campaigning to get back in there. The injury was to his shoulder, and it forced him to miss practice time this week.

Brad Kaaya, U. of Miami: Kaaya played very well against Florida State last week in a losing effort, but showed really nice touch on his balls. However, he is still dealing with a shoulder injury, though it should not keep him out of this week’s contest against North Carolina. Kaaya is one of the better NFL prospects at his position in college football.

Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech: Mahomes is one of the more prolific quarterbacks in college football this season, as he leads an incredibly explosive offense at Texas Tech. However, Mahomes has been dealing with shoulder pain since leaving the game against Kansas a few weeks back. He is expected to play this week against 20th-ranked West Virginia, in a contest that could become a shootout.

Nick Mulles, Southern Miss: Mullens has put together a solid senior campaign for Southern Miss, but he may be out this week against LSU. Head coach Jay Hopson would not commit to Mullens being ready for Saturday, as he deals with a thumb injury. The injury occurred during the first half of last week’s games against UT-San Antonio.

Running Backs

Nick Wilson, Arizona: The Arizona Wildcats were without Wilson this past week against UCLA, as he continues to battle an ankle injury. On Thursday, the team listed him as probable for this week’s matchup against USC, which should give a huge boost to the offense. USC is coming in red-hot, so having Wilson back will be key if the Wildcats want to pull the upset.

Leonard Fournette, LSU: The star running back from LSU is having a lost season, and he is likely out for this week’s matchup against Southern Mississippi. There has been speculation that he may sit out the rest of the season with an ankle injury, but that has not been proven yet. He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of his last three starts.

Elijah Hood, UNC: North Carolina should have their star running back back on Saturday, as Elijah Hood continues to recover from his concussion. The Tarheels have a huge ACC game against the Miami Hurricanes this weekend, and getting Hood back is sure to bolster their offense. When healthy, he is one of the best backs in college football.

Ryan Nall, Oregon State: Ryan Nall rushed for over 220 yards this past week, showing that he is one of the best backs in the Pac-12. However, he was carted off the field with a leg injury early in the fourth quarter, and did not return. It is uncertain if the Beavers will have him back when they battle No. 24 Utah this weekend.

Jalen Hurd, Tennessee: The Tennessee Volunteers were without Hurd this past week in their huge SEC matchup against Texas A&M, but still hung tough in an overtime loss. This week, Hurd is expected to return for another big game, as the Vols take on No. 1 Alabama. He practiced this week, and is listed as “full strength.”

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford: Christian McCaffrey has been stymied the past two weeks, failing to score a touchdown in two consecutive Stanford losses. The season is quickly spiraling out of control for the Cardinal, who hit the road to face Notre Dame this week. McCaffrey will be a game-time decision, after being beat up by Washington State last week.

Wide Receivers

KD Cannon, Baylor: The star wideout has been out of action since being injured during the Oklahoma State game back in September, dealing with a nagging groin injury. He missed last week’s win against Iowa State but may be back in time for the Kansas game this week. Cannon has caught 27 balls for 370 yard and four touchdowns in four games this season.

Mike Williams, Clemson: Clemson is starting to hit their stride and wide receiver Mike Williams is a big part of what they do on offense. The potential first round pick is still nursing a hamstring injury but should be ready to go against NC State this week. Williams suffered the injury last week against Boston College in the Tigers 56-10 win.

Ja’Quay Savage, Louisville: The Louisville Cardinals are very much alive still in the College Football Playoff race, though they are a little light on the offensive side of the ball. Ja’Quay Savage missed the Cardinals last game with a shoulder injury and could be out again this week. The Cardinals lead the nation in scoring at 58.0 points per game.

Tim Patrick, Utah: The Utah Utes are one of two Pac-12 teams ranked in the top-25, and are coming off a nice victory without a few weapons on offense last week. Star wide receiver Tim Patrick missed last week’s game against Arizona with a leg injury and is questionable to return this week. This week, the Utes play an Oregon State team that is fresh off a huge win against Cal last week.

Tight Ends

Sean Irwin, Colorado: The Colorado Buffaloes have put together a nice beginning to the season, playing better than most people though they would. However, after being ranked for the first time in 11 years last week, they lost to the USC, and will now look to get back into the top-25. Tight end Sean Irwin is likely to be out against Arizona State this week, giving quarterback Sefo Liufau one less weapon against the Wildcats.

Greg Taboada, Stanford: Stanford could be without their star running back and tight end, as Greg Taboada may miss time with an undisclosed injury. Taboada was able to log practice time this week, so the Cardinal are hoping he will be able to suit up against the Fighting Irish on Saturday. Stanford has lost two straight, after starting the year 3-0.

Foster Moreau, LSU: LSU will already be without running back Leonard Fournette this week, and may also be without their tight end as well. Foster Moreau had an undisclosed injury, and it is possible he may miss the Tigers game against Southern Miss this week. He and Fournette both would have been out if the Florida game was not cancelled last week.

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Defensive Stars

Reuben Foster, Alabama: Reuben Foster is likely to be picked in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft next April, but for now, he is just trying to get back on the field. Foster finally cleared concussion protocol this week and should be available when Alabama takes on Tennessee this week. Foster was back at practice on Wednesday, so barring a setback, expect him on the field.

Daniel McMillan, Florida: Florida got an extra bye week this past week, as Hurricane Matthew cancelled their game against LSU. That gave Daniel McMillan extra time to heal his neck injury, which has hampered him the past few weeks. McMillan is expected to be ready in time for the Gators matchup against Missouri this week.

Brandon Wilson, Houston: The Houston Cougars suffered a bad loss against Navy this past week, essentially ending their College Playoff hopes. In some good news, the team should get star cornerback Brandon Wilson back this week. Wilson has missed the last three games with an ankle injury but is expected to play against Tulsa.

Fadol Brown, Ole Miss: A foot injury has robbed Brown of the past two games and he may be out for a third. The Ole Miss defensive lineman’s injury had been looking like a long-term thing but he could return this season. The pesky injury to his foot has been lingering for about ten months now, so some better news is a good sign at this point.

Dante Booker, Ohio State: Booker has missed the last three games for Ohio State, who continue to run all over the college football landscape. The Buckeyes have a tall order this week, as they play eighth-ranked Wisconsin. Booker’s knee injury may keep him out once again, as he is listed as questionable heading into Saturday.

Jonathan Lockett, USC: The USC Trojans are absolutely rolling after making the switch to Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback. The team is likely to get star cornerback Jonathan Lockett back this week, as he is listed as probable for the team’s game against Arizona. With a win, USC will have won their third straight, and is starting to look like the Trojans of old.