It is officially college football season, and that means it is time for an injury report. Here are players who might be sitting the opener out this weekend.
College football will be in full swing this weekend, with the season kicking off with arguably the best season opener in history. The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Florida State Seminoles inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, in a game that could feature two College Football Playoff teams. There are a bunch of good matchups on the slate this weekend, and some teams are going to have to battle the injury bug.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Danny Etling, LSU
The LSU Tigers will look to get off to a fast start this season, and it looks like they will have their starting quarterback available in Week 1. Danny Etling had been battling a back issue, but he is probable against Brigham Young on Saturday. The Tigers figure to run the ball more than they pass this season, though a solid season from Etling could put them in College Football Playoff contention.
Drew Lock, Missouri
Drew Lock is the unquestioned leader of the Missouri Tigers, and the team will only go as far as he takes them this season. Luckily for Tigers fans, Lock is expected to play in the season opener this weekend, as he appears healed from his hand injury. The Tigers will look to get in the win column early in 2017, as they play host to Missouri State in their opener.
Khalil Tate, Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats will have two starting quarterbacks this season, with one of them being Khalil Tate. Tate was a big-time recruit out of high school, and got some valuable time during his freshman season in 2016. He is probable for the Wildcats opener this weekend, as his thumb is healthy enough to give it ago for an Arizona team that figures to struggle in the Pac-12 this season.
Running Backs
Mike Weber, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes got great production out of Mike Weber last season, despite the fact that he won the job as a true freshman. Weber played a key role in the Buckeyes late season win against the Michigan Wolverines, and helped lead the team into the College Football Playoff. He is currently battling a hamstring injury, but all signs point to him being available when Ohio State opens their season against Indiana.
Chris Warren III, Texas
Chris Warren III has a tall order this season, as he will be expected to replace former Texas Longhorns star running back, D’Onta Foreman. Warren will look to get off to a solid start in Week 1, as the Longhorns should be able to beat Maryland at home. The back has been dealing with concussion issues, but he has been cleared to play against the Terrapins this Saturday.
Derrius Guice, LSU
Last season, Derrius Guice led the SEC in rushing yards, despite the fact he opened the season as the backup to Leonard Fournette. Guice heads into this season as a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, and he should be available this weekend against Brigham Young. The junior had his wisdom teeth removed this past week, and while it is not a definite, the odds are he will be ready on Saturday.
Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
Bo Scarbrough led the Alabama Crimson Tide to the national title game, but was injured against the Clemson Tigers in the finale. He is dealing with a leg injury currently, but the team expects him to be ready for the Tide’s Week 1 matchup. Alabama, who is ranked No. 1 in the country, will take on No. 3 Florida State Saturday night, and the team could certainly use Scarbrough toting the rock against a solid Seminoles defense.
Wide Receivers
Janarion Grant, Rutgers
Janarion Grant is by far the best player on the Rutgers football team, and is one of the most explosive players in the country. He saw his season end via injury last season, and he is listed as questionable for the Scarlet Knights’ season opener on Friday. Rutgers has a tall order at hand in Week 1, as the Washington Huskies come to town in a game that has blowout written all over it.
Michael Pittman Jr., USC
The USC Trojans should have an incredible passing offense this season, as sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold is arguably the best quarterback in the country. Darnold will have one of his top weapons out in Week 1, as Michael Pittman Jr. is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Pittman has a high ankle sprain, which is a terrible injury for a wide receiver, and may have to sit out the Western Michigan game.
Jazz Peavy, Wisconsin
Alex Hornibrook is going to need a big season if the Wisconsin Badgers are to repeat in the Big Ten West Division, though he may be without one of his best weapons in Week 1. Jazz Peavy is questionable for the Badgers Friday night title against Utah State, though Wisconsin should be fine without him. The Big Ten has some of the best talent in the country this season, so having a healthy Peavy the rest of the way is going to be key for Wisconsin.
Randrecous Davis, South Carolina
The South Carolina Gamecocks are hoping to make a statement in the SEC this season, though they will have to get through the opener without one of their best players. The Gamecocks take on North Carolina State on Saturday, and wide receiver Randrecous Davis is already ruled out for the game. This should be a good game, but the Wolfpack may have the advantage with Davis ruled out.
Tight Ends
Alize Mack, Notre Dame
Alize Mack had to deal with a suspension last season, leaving his team without a solid weapon at tight end. This season, Mack is back for the Fighting Irish, and he is not going to let an injury keep him from playing in the season opener. Mack is dealing with a hamstring injury, but is probable for Notre Dame’s Week 1 matchup against Temple.
Dan Imatorbhebhe, USC
One half of the Imatorbhebhe brothers for the USC Trojans is likely out this weekend — he is listed as questionable for the team’s opener against Western Michigan. Imatorbhebhe is dealing with a hip injury, which could prove to be more than just a one-week thing. The Trojans have some big names out on their offense, but the Broncos should not be much of a problem against one of the best teams in the country.
Next: FanSided 2017 College Football Preview
Defensive Stars
Arden Key, LSU
The LSU Tigers should have star running back Derrius Guice in action in Week 1, but that cannot be said about their best defensive player. Defensive end Arden Key had toe surgery this offseason, and will not be ready for the team’s opener against Brigham Young. Key is expected to be a first round pick in next April’s NFL Draft, but there is unfinished business at LSU to handle first.
Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
The combination of Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins is the best in the country at defensive tackle, and it looks like both men will be available for the opener on Saturday. The Clemson Tigers welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes to Death Valley in Week 1, which means Lawrence and Wilkins should be in for huge games. Lawrence was an absolute stud as a freshman last season, and is destined to be a first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Scott Pagano, Oregon
Last season, the Oregon Ducks struggled so badly that they ended up firing their head coach. Willie Taggart was brought in to right the ship, but the team will be without arguably their best defensive lineman in Week 1. Scott Pagano is a force up front for the Ducks, but foot surgery will keep him out of the opener against Southern Utah this weekend.
John Reid, Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions are ranked No. 6 heading into the 2017 college football season, and that is without one of the best players on their roster. Star cornerback John Reid tore up his knee this past Spring, and will miss the entire season. Reid is one of the best players in the country at his position, so the Lions may feel this loss when they hit the meat of their schedule.
Darrin Kirkland Jr., Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers will be without one of their best defensive players for at least the beginning of the season. Darrin Kirkland Jr. had meniscus surgery this past week, and is likely out for the first at least the first month. Kirkland was stellar for the Volunteers last season, though the team should be able to get through Georgia Tech in Week 1 without him.