The college football season is incredibly entering Week 5, and there are some big named players who may have to sit out their games this weekend.
College football will be in full swing this weekend, including a huge matchup between Clemson and Virginia Tech. Also on the slate is a big Pac-12 matchup between USC and Washington State, as well as an SEC between Mississippi State and Auburn. Conference pictures are starting to come into focus, so making sure players stay healthy is going to be even more important moving forward.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Keller Chryst, Stanford
The Stanford Cardinal won big last weekend, and most of the damage was done without their starting quarterback. Keller Chryst suffered a concussion in the first quarter, and was held out the rest of the way. He is questionable this weekend as well, and may have to miss the team’s game against Arizona State.
Wilton Speight, Michigan
Michigan does not play this weekend, but the injury to Wilton Speight is one to keep an eye on for two weeks from now. Speight was injured during the Purdue game last weekend, and there is currently no timetable for his return. The Wolverines are off to another hot start, and up next is Michigan State on October 7.
David Blough, Purdue
Staying with that Michigan-Purdue game, the Boilermakers lost their starting quarterback in the contest as well. David Blough is currently dealing with a slight shoulder sprain, and is questionable for this week. Purdue will take on Minnesota on Saturday, as they continue their Big Ten schedule.
Jake Hubenak, Texas A&M
Jake Hubenak is the second Texas A&M quarterback to go down this season, and the team may have to go with another option this weekend. The Aggies will take on South Carolina on Saturday, and Hubenak is currently listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
Running Backs
Mike Weber, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to New Jersey this weekend to take on Rutgers, in a game they should easily cruise in. Running back Mike Weber is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but the team expects him to play. The Buckeyes need to win out if they want a shot at the College Football Playoff after their bad loss to Oklahoma in Week 2.
Kamryn Pettway, Auburn
The Auburn Tigers have an SEC matchup on deck this weekend, as they will take on Mississippi State. The Tigers should have their running back healthy for the showdown, as Kamryn Pettway is currently probable to participate. They will need all hands on deck against an explosive Mississippi State team.
Derrius Guice, LSU
It seems like Derrius Guice pops up on our report every weekend, as he has battle a few nicks this season. Guice hurt his knee last weekend against Syracuse, and was held out of the second half. He is doubtful this weekend for the Tigers, but it should not matter against an over-matched Troy team at home.
Tre Bryant, Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers have a Big Ten matchup on their hands this weekend, as they take on the Fighting Illini. The Cornhuskers may be without running back Tre Bryant, who is nursing a knee injury. Nebraska needs him if they hope to come away with the victory, as he plays a huge role in what they do on offense.
Wide Receivers
Janarion Grant, Rutgers
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have a tough game ahead of them on Saturday night, as they welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to town. Luckily for Rutgers, they will likely have their top playmaker, as Janarion Grant is probable to play. While he makes a difference, it shouldn’t make much of an impact on the final score, as the Buckeyes should roll.
Deontay Burnett, USC
The USC Trojans have looked very beatable this season, as they have had to go four quarters to seal most of their wins. This weekend, they may be without their top wideout, as Deontay Burnett was held out of practice this week. Burnett is quarterback Sam Darnold’s top target in the passing game, and will be needed against a very good Washington State team.
Chico McClatcher, Washington
The Huskies suffered a major loss this past weekend, as star wideout Chico McClatcher was ruled out for the rest of the season. McClatcher was one of the key components on a Washington offense that is one of the best in the Pac-12. He suffered an injury to his ankle, and hopefully he can make a full recovery.
Charles Nelson, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks suffered a bad loss to the Arizona State Sun Devils this past weekend, and may have lost their top wide receiver in the process. Charles Nelson is questionable this weekend with an ankle injury, which could have major implications on the Ducks’ offense. Oregon takes on Cal in Week 5, so they definitely need all of their playmakers available against a much-improved Golden Bears squad.
Tight Ends
Alex Marshall, Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles will take on Wake Forest on Saturday, in a game they should be able to win. The team may be without their tight end, however, as Alex Marshall continues to battle back from a hand injury. The Seminoles looked pretty bad last weekend against NC State, and can hopefully right the ship against the Wolfpack on Saturday.
Jakob Johnson, Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers have a tall task at hand this weekend, as they have to do battle against the Georgia Bulldogs. The Volunteers may be a bit shorthanded on offense, as tight end Jakob Johnson is currently questionable with an undisclosed injury. Without him in the fold, it will be hard for them to move the ball consistently against the Bulldogs.
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Defensive Stars
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals have been without one of their top defensive players for a few weeks now, and they will likely be without him on Saturday. Jaire Alexander is still dealing with a leg injury, and is questionable for the Murray State game. Alexander is expected to be a top pick in next April’s NFL Draft.
Ed Paris, LSU
While the team will have Derrius Guice hopefully back this weekend, their safety is done for the year. Ed Paris suffered a knee injury last weekend, and has been ruled out indefinitely. That is a big blow for a defense that has been struggling as of late.
Chris Worley, Ohio State
When the Ohio State Buckeyes get to New Jersey for Saturday’s matchup against Rutgers, they will likely have one of the keys to their defense with them. Chris Worley is listed as probable for this game, as he appears ready to go from his foot injury. Ohio State should roll in this Big Ten game.
Trayvon Mullen and Marcus Edmond, Clemson
Clemson may be without two of their top cornerbacks this weekend, as they go up against a very good Virginia Tech offense. Trayvon Mullen (concussion) and Marcus Edmond (foot), are both listed as questionable this weekend. The game is arguably the biggest game on the slate in Week 5 around college football.
Grayson Miller, Michigan State
Michigan State will take on a fired up Iowa team this weekend, as the Hawkeyes are coming off a last-second loss to Penn State on Saturday night. The Spartans could be without their safety, as Grayson Miller is currently listed as questionable. Miller has an undisclosed injury, so check his status before kickoff.