Here is a look at the key injuries leading into Week 10 of the college football season. Whether these players play or not will significantly impact their team.
While it may be hard to believe, Week 10 of the college football season is already upon us. As the calendar switches to November, teams are really starting to jockey for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The first rankings were released this past week, and to no surprise to anybody, Alabama is ranked No. 1.
The Crimson Tide will take on an LSU team this week that has not lost since head coach Les Miles was fired. In other news, No. 10 Nebraska will travel to Ohio to take on sixth-ranked Ohio State in a huge Big Ten matchup. Despite their 8-0 record, Washington was left out of the top-4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, and will be taking on a very tough Cal team on Saturday.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech
Patrick Mahomes II has been one of the more prolific quarterbacks in all of college football this season, establishing himself as a possible first-round talent. However, he is dealing with a shoulder issue as of late, which has threatened to keep him out of games. He is expected to be available this Saturday when the Red Raiders take on TCU.
Josh Rosen, UCLA
Tough news for UCLA, as their star quarterback is done for the season. Josh Rosen has been dealing with a shoulder injury, and is out indefinitely. The sophomore was expected to lead the Bruins to a spot in the Pac-12 Championship Game this season, but they have been quite a disappointment.
Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech
Evans is coming off a dominant performance last week, as he threw for over 400 yards in the Hokies 39-36 victory over Pittsburgh. Despite dealing with an ankle injury, Evans is expected to be ready to go against Duke this week. He has helped the Hokies to a first place spot in the Coast Division this season.
Austin Allen, Arkansas
The Arkansas Razorbacks bye week came at the right time, as quarterback Austin Allen’s knee was able to heal up in time for a huge SEC matchup this week. The Razorbacks will face No. 10 Florida on Saturday, and head coach Bret Bielema expects Allen to be at 100 percent. Austin has thrown for at least two touchdowns in seven of the team’s eight games.
Seth Russell, Baylor
Baylor will have their senior quarterback available this weekend, as he has cleared concussion protocol. The Bears suffered their first loss of the season last week, dropping a road game to Texas. Russell has thrown for 18 touchdowns this season against only five interceptions.
Running Backs
Jamaal Williams, BYU
The BYU Tigers take on the Cincinnati Bearcats this weekend, and they expect to have Jamaal Williams at running back for the game. Williams is one of the better running backs in college football, and thanks to the team’s bye last week, he should be healthy enough to go. He has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past few weeks.
Nick Wilson, Arizona
Arizona has been dealing with a ton of injuries this season, and will once again be without their starting running back on Saturday. Nick Wilson has been ruled out for the team’s game against Washington State, which could get very ugly. The Cougars are red-hot, winning their last six games, and are currently ranked in the top-25.
Shock Linwood, Baylor
The Baylor Bears are expected to have their quarterback healthy for Saturday’s game against TCU, and will also have their star running back. Shock Linwood is dealing with an issue with his hamstring, but has been upgraded to probable for this week. Linwood has rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of his last two seasons, but has struggled mightily in his senior year.
Ryan Nall, Oregon State
Ryan Nall shook off a foot injury last week, rushing for over 130 against Washington State. He is expected to be ready to go again this week, as Nall and the Beavers take on Stanford. Nall will be looking to build upon his three touchdown performance from last week.
Russel Shell, West Virginia
The senior had only 38 yards rushing against Oklahoma State last week, after a devastating hit kept him out of the second half. He had rushed for over 100 yards in each of the two previous games, and has played a key role in the Mountaineers 6-1 start to the season. It is uncertain if he is going to play, so expect Justin Crawford to get the bulk of the carries if Shell is on the shelf.
Wide Receivers
Chad Hansen, Cal
The Cal Golden Bears have been without Chad Hansen for the past two games, but they will likely get their star wide receiver back this week. Hansen showed no limp running routes in practice this week, and appears to be healed from his ankle injury. He is a top weapon for a Cal team that will be facing fourth-ranked Washington this weekend.
Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Despite his numbers being down this season, there is no question that Calvin Ridley is one of the better wideouts in the country. However, he is questionable for the Crimson Tide’s matchup against LSU this week. Ridley has been nursing a knee injury, but was seen working with quarterback Jalen Hurts after practice on routes this past week.
KeVontae Turpin, TCU
KeVontae Turpin is still dealing with a knee injury, and is not fully healthy. However, he is expected to play a larger role in this week’s matchup against Baylor. Turpin is the kind of wide receiver who can turn a game on its head, so expect him to be highlighted throughout on Saturday.
Desmond Cain, Illinois
The Fighting Illini are struggled through a rough season in Lovie Smith’s first year behind the wheel, but they should get some good news this week. Wide receiver Desmond Cain is expected to be back against a weak Michigan State team on Saturday. Cain has missed the last three games with an injured knee.
Corey Smith, Ohio State
Corey Smith is still not ready to go, and is listed as questionable for this week’s matchup with No. 10 Nebraska. Smith has missed the last three games for the Buckeyes, who have struggled on offense. His injury is to his wrist, which is making it hard for him to get healthy enough to catch the ball.
Tight Ends
Cethan Carter, Nebraska
Nebraska has a huge game this weekend, as they travel to Ohio to take on No. 6 Ohio State. Unfortunately for the Cornhuskers, they will likely be without Cethan Carter, who still has not gotten medical clearance. Carter is dealing with an elbow injury, and the team is hoping his return with boost their sputtering offense.
DeAndre Goolsby, Florida
DeAndre Goolsby was asked to step up this season for the Florida Gators, and he has done that and more. A John Mackey Award watch list member, Goolsby has been dealing with a hand injury, and is questionable for the Gators game against Arkansas on Saturday. Goolsby is a nice security blanket for Luke Del Rio, so expect him to do whatever he can to get on the field this week.
George Kittle, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a huge Big Ten matchup against Penn State this weekend, who are suddenly playing some great football. The Hawkeyes may be without their tight end, however, as George Kittle is dealing with a foot injury. All early indications are that he should be ready to go when the Hawkeyes take the field on Saturday.
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Defensive Stars
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Some believe that Myles Garrett will be the first name called in next April’s draft, but first he has to get himself back on the field. Garrett missed last week’s game against Alabama, and he is uncertain to play against Mississippi State this week. The Aggies are currently in line to play in the College Football Playoff, so getting Garrett back is imperative at this point.
Jadar Johnson, Clemson
Jadar Johnson is having a great senior season for Clemson, who continue to make a push towards the College Football Playoff. However, the star safety is dealing with a calf injury, and may not be able to play this week. The Tigers have an easy game against Syracuse on Saturday, so they may keep him out until he is 100 percent.
Bryan Cox, Jr., Florida
The Florida Gators have a big SEC matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, and they should get their linebacker back. Bryan Cox Jr. has been dealing with a hand injury, but is expected back against the Razorbacks. The Gators are having a nice season, but will need Cox in the lineup, especially if Austin Allen is healthy for Arkansas.
Devonte Fields, Louisville
Louisville will take on Boston College on Saturday, in what should be a very lopsided game. Devonte Fields missed the Cardinals last game against Virginia, and is questionable for this week against the Eagles. He is one of the best linebackers in the ACC, and he has been a catalyst for a defense that has the Cardinals on the doorstep of the College Football Playoff.
Corn Elder, U. of Miami
Corn Elder has been a leader in the Miami secondary all season, and some believe he has been the team’s MVP. Despite dealing with a thumb injury, Elder is expected to play this weekend against Pitt. Elder is a bit small in size, but he has been playing his way into possibly being drafted next April.
Fadol Brown, Ole Miss
Fadol Brown’s injury has been a long-term one, which is exactly what the team had feared. Brown’s foot has kept him out of a bunch of games this season, but he was actually cleared to play this week. Ole Miss takes on Georgia Southern on Saturday, which would be a nice game to work Brown back into the mix.
Dante Booker, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been without Dante Booker for over a month now, though he is expected to be on the field this weekend. Booker and his Buckeyes teammates have a huge game against No. 10 Nebraska on Saturday, and Booker was cleared on Thursday to play. Expect him to play a huge role in Ohio State’s quest to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive.