As we turn the page to Week 4 of the college football season, we take a look at a some of the star players who may be unavailable this weekend.
Week 4 of the college football season is upon us, and while there is no marquee game this week, there is at least eight games to keep an eye on. The conference schedules will be in full swing soon, and for most of the country, they will start this weekend. As always, injuries are going to play a big role in outcomes, and we have some players listed below that will definitely hurt, or help their team’s chances depending on if they are active.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Anu Solomon, Baylor
The Baylor Bears take on the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend, and that is already a tall task. To make matters worse, quarterback Anu Solomon is not going to play, as he is still dealing with a concussion. Solomon or no, this game was not going to be a good one anyway, but him being out is going to make it a laugher.
Brett Rypien, Boise State
Brett Rypien was held out of the Boise State win against New Mexico last weekend, as he is dealing with a head issue. As the team prepares to play an even better team in Virginia this weekend, they might have to get through without him again. Rypien is currently listed as questionable, though the signs point to him being inactive again.
Josh Allen, Wyoming
A lock to be a top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Josh Allen is battling through a so-so season for Wyoming so far in 2017. The signal-caller is currently dealing with an unspecified injury, but is expected to play this weekend against Hawaii. He has not played well against good team, so playing a team like Hawaii will likely lead to him playing well this weekend.
Jake Hubenak, Texas A&M
The Aggies will take on Arkansas in Week 4, though they may be without their signal-caller in the SEC matchup. Jake Hubenak is dealing with a shoulder injury, and is currently listed as questionable. The Razorbacks will definitely be able to hang in with the Aggies if Hubenak cannot go.
Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
The Auburn Tigers open up their SEC slate this weekend against Missouri, and they will likely have Kerryon Johnson back in the backfield. The running back opened the year with a dominant effort against Georgia State, but has been held out ever since. He is dealing with a hammy, so getting him back must mean he is ready to go.
Sony Michel, Georgia
The Bulldogs tandem of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb have been down one of its members, as Michel missed last week with an ankle injury. However, Michel is probable to play this weekend, as the Bulldogs take on Mississippi State. Georgia needs to run the ball against Mississippi State if they want to take care of business, so adding a healthy Michel is huge.
Derrius Guice, LSU
One of the best running backs in the SEC, Derrius Guice may actually have to sit out this weekend against Syracuse. LSU should be able to handle their business without him, though it is a knee injury, so we do not know if this is going to be a multiple-game thing. Guice is a potential top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft if he decides this is his last year with the Tigers.
UPDATE: Guice will be taking the field on SaturdayIt looks like
Akrum Wadley, Iowa
The Hawkeyes have a huge matchup on their hands this weekend, as they go against fellow undefeated Penn State. Anytime these two teams hook up, it is certain to be a good one, and the Hawkeyes will likely have Akrum Wadley back for the game. Wadley was injured last week against North Texas, though the team was still able to win without him.
Ronald Jones II, USC
The Trojans survived a close one against Texas this past weekend, as the game went into double-overtime. Running back Ronald Jones II hurt his ankle in the contest, though he is listed as probable for this week. The Trojans take on Cal in Pac-12 play, and the Golden Bears have been one of the bigger conferences surprises through the first three weeks of the season.
Wide Receivers
Darius Slayton, Auburn
Darius Slayton is dealing with an undisclosed injury, though he is expected to play this weekend against Missouri. The Tigers are good enough to threaten any team in the SEC, but have gotten off to a slow start this season. They need Slayton at 100 percent if they hope to pick up their first SEC win on Saturday.
Charles Nelson, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks have been one of the better surprises in the Pac-12 this season, as they have gotten off to a 3-0 start in head coach Willie Taggart’s first season. This weekend, the Ducks will take on Arizona State on the road, and they should have their top wideout available. Charles Nelson has been dealing with an ankle issue, but he will be terrorizing the Sun Devils secondary this weekend.
Ahmmon Richards, Miami (FL)
The Miami Hurricanes’ game against Florida State was canceled last weekend, which gave wideout Ahmmon Richards hamstring some time to heal. The Hurricanes will take on Toledo in Week 4, and they should have Richards back. The wide receiver is the top option in the passing game for Miami, so the week off definitely benefited the team.
Steven Mitchell, USC
The USC Trojans offense is a pass-heavy scheme, and quarterback Sam Darnold is one of the best signal-callers in the country. Steven Mitchell is one of his favorite targets, but he may not be available this weekend. The Trojans take on Cal this weekend, and while Mitchell is no Deontay Burnett, he is one of the better wideouts in the Pac-12 right now.
Chico McClatcher, Washington
The Washington Huskies have one of the more explosive offenses in college football, and Chico McClatcher is a big part of it. However, he missed last week’s game against Fresno State, and is currently listed as week-to-week for Washington. Head coach Chris Petersen was non-committal as to whether he will play this weekend, as the team takes on a tough defense in Colorado.
Tight Ends
Tyrone Wheatley, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines are once again a top-10 team, despite the fact that they had to turn over nearly every starter on both sides of the ball. Tight end Tyrone Wheatley is dealing with a unspecified injury right now, and he may be out this weekend. Wheatley is hoping to play against Purdue this weekend, but it does not look good for him at this point.
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Sooners have a ton of offensive weapons, but having a legitimate tight end separates them from most teams. Mark Andrews was dealing with a knee injury last week, and now it looks like he is having trouble with his quad. However, he is expect to play against Baylor, and should have a field day against a bad Bears defense.
Next: Heisman Watch 2017: Week 4
Defensive Stars
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
One of the best defensive backs in the country, Jaire Alexander is currently dealing with a leg injury for the Louisville Cardinals. He was missed last weekend in their loss to Clemson, and while they should be able to beat Kent State without him, they need him back for ACC play. The Cardinals are still not out of it, so getting him back as soon as possible has to be the priority at this point.
Chris Worley, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes got back on the winning track last weekend, as they defeated Army pretty easily. Chris Worley is currently dealing with a foot injury, and it is not certain that he will be back this weekend. The Buckeyes will take on UNLV, so even if Worley does not play, they should still be able to come away with the victory.
Boss Tagaloa, UCLA
The UCLA Bruins will be dealing with a tough running game this weekend against Stanford, and may be without one of their best defensive lineman. Boss Tagaloa is dealing with an unspecified injury, and the word is he is questionable this week. Stanford running back Bryce Love is one of the best in the conference, so Tagaloa being out may prove to be huge in this one.
Malkom Parrish, Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs will be dealing with a high-octane offense on Saturday, as they have to do battle with Mississippi State. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they may be without Malkom Parrish, who is dealing with an ankle injury. Mississippi State loves to throw the ball, so keep an eye on this injury as we get closer to kickoff.
Jaelen Phillips, UCLA
The biggest recruit in the country last year, Jaelen Phillips has instantly become a starter for the UCLA Bruins. Phillips had to exit last week’s loss to Memphis with an ankle injury, and is currently questionable this weekend. The Bruins will try to get back on the winning track against Stanford on Saturday.
Robert Barnes, Oklahoma
The freshman safety for the Sooners is questionable this week against Baylor, as he is currently dealing with a hamstring issue. The Sooners should be able to roll through the Bears without him, though they will need him with some big matchups on the horizon. Barnes could be one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12 by the time he is done at Oklahoma.