College football Week 8 injury report: Wimbush returns for Notre Dame

The college football season is incredibly exciting entering Week 8, and there are some big-name players who may have to sit out their games this weekend.

College football is back in full force this weekend, with most of the top teams in the country suiting up in Week 8. The Alabama Crimson Tide will put their unbeaten record on the line against Tennessee, and No. 2 Penn State will play host to Michigan in White-Out conditions. USC will take on Notre Dame in a huge matchup, and Miami (FL) will look to avoid being the latest upset victim by Syracuse.

Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.

Quarterbacks

Chazz Surratt, University of North Carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels will get their quarterback back this week, as Chazz Surratt is probable for their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Surratt has been out with an undisclosed injury, which has affected the Tar Heels offense substantially. The Hokies are going to be a tough test, but getting Surratt back is definitely a plus for North Carolina this weekend.

Tyler Huntley, Utah

Tyler Huntley has missed the last two games for the Utah Utes, and the offense has struggled in his absence. The Utes will get Huntley back this weekend, as he has been deemed healthy enough to go against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Huntley was dealing with an arm injury, and the team certainly could have used him in their loss to USC last weekend.

Austin Allen, Arkansas

The Arkansas Razorbacks had to deal with top-ranked Alabama without their starting quarterback last week, as Austin Allen sat out with a shoulder issue. The Razorbacks will take on Auburn this weekend, and it is a probability that Allen will return. Arkansas sputtered without Allen in the lineup, and could put up a fight against the Tigers with a healthy Allen under center.

Brandon Wimbush, Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a huge matchup on their hands this weekend, as they take on the USC Trojans. Luckily for Irish fans, Brandon Wimbush will be back under center, after sitting out last week’s win. Wimbush was dealing with a foot injury, but he is probable to play, and that makes this Irish team so much better against a solid USC squad with playoff implications on the line.

Running Backs

Damien Harris, Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend, in a game they should roll in. The Tide are likely to have a healthy Damien Harris in the fold, as the running back is probable with a leg injury. The Crimson Tide are the best team in the country, and likely could have handled their business against the Vols even with Harris sitting this one out.

Abdul Adams, Oklahoma

Oklahoma will take on Kansas State this weekend, in another Big 12 matchup. Running back Abdul Adams is questionable for the game, however, as he is dealing with a leg injury. The Sooners still have an outside shot to make the College Football Playoff, and are looking to blow away teams after suffering that bad loss to Iowa State a few weeks back.

Stephen Carr, USC

Stephen Carr and the USC Trojans have a major game this weekend against Notre Dame, which is one that could have major playoff implications. Carr, a freshman standout running back, is questionable against the Irish with a foot injury. If he cannot go, expect the Trojans to feature star running back Ronald Jones III a ton against a very good Irish defense Saturday.

James Butler, Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes will do battle against Northwestern in Big Ten action this weekend, though they will be without their running back. James Butler is battling back from an elbow injury, and is expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks. Iowa proved they can play with anybody, and should be able to beat the Wildcats even with Butler handling the load in the backfield.

Wide Receivers

Jalen Brown, Northwestern

The Northwestern Wildcats have a huge game against Iowa this weekend, as they try to grab as many Big Ten wins as possible this season. The Wildcats passing game may be a bit short-handed, as Jalen Brown is questionable for the contest. Brown is dealing with a lower body injury, and all signs point to him being a gametime decision for the Wildcats in this one.

Seth Collins, Oregon State

Seth Collins did not get to play last weekend, when the Oregon State Beavers nearly pulled out the victory against the Colorado Buffaloes. This weekend, Collins is again out, as he is dealing with a pretty serious illness. The Beavers played great without him last weekend, but they are hoping to get him back before the end of the season.

Keith Gavin, FSU

The Florida State Seminoles have an ACC matchup against Louisville on deck this weekend, and are looking to get more improvement from their freshman quarterback. However, James Blackman may be a bit short-handed in the wide receiving corps, as Keith Gavin is questionable for Florida State. Gavin is dealing with a foot issue, so he will likely be a gametime decision for head coach Jimbo Fisher.

Seth Dawkins, Louisville

Staying with that Louisville-Florida State Game, it looks like Lamar Jackson may be without one of his weapons as well. Seth Dawkins is questionable for the matchup with an undisclosed injury, and his being out will hinder what they do in the passing game. Hopefully for Jackson, Dawkins can play, and the Cardinals can get their season back on track.

Tight Ends

Evidence Njoku, Miami (FL)

The Miami Hurricanes have been one of the better stories in college football this season, getting out to an undefeated season through Week 7. However, they lost their tight end for the season last weekend, as Evidence Njoku is out with a lower extremity injury. The Hurricanes have already lost Mark Walton for the year, and are in danger of being another victim of the Syracuse Orange this weekend.

Brandon Lingen, Minnesota

Minnesota will take on Illinois in Big Ten play this weekend, and the Golden Gophers may be without one of their top offensive weapons. Tight end Brandon Lingen is currently questionable for the game with an ankle injury, which could swing the momentum in the favor of the Fighting Illini. Check back prior to gametime to see if he is a go or not.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers get their franchise quarterback

Defensive Stars

Jaelan Phillips, UCLA

Jaelan Phillips was one of the top recruits in the nation this past year, and has started as a true freshman for the UCLA Bruins. However, he is dealing with an ankle injury, and is currently listed as questionable for the team’s game against Oregon on Saturday. UCLA has looked very bad on defense the past few weeks, so being without Phillips could make the Ducks a favorite in this one.

Jake Pickard, Syracuse

Jake Pickard is questionable this weekend for the Syracuse Orange, who are looking to knock off an undefeated team for the second straight week. Pickard is dealing with an injury that has left him questionable for the game, and the Orange certainly need him if they are going to stop the Hurricanes. He is a strong kid, so the odds are he will make himself ready to go for this one.

Da’Shawn Hand, Alabama

The Alabama Crimson Tide will look to continue their undefeated season this weekend against Tennessee, but they will have to do it without one of the better defensive lineman in the SEC. Da’Shawn Hand is out for the next 2-3 weeks with a knee injury, leaving Alabama a bit light up front. The Crimson Tide have a ton of depth, but Hand has the talent to be a first round pick next April.

Rashan Gary, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines have a huge game on Saturday, as they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, they may be without one of their top defensive lineman, as Rashan Gary is questionable for the game. Gary is battling an arm injury, and if he cannot go, it will be a big blow to their defense.

Patrick Johnson, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are quietly becoming a national title contender, andhave another big game ahead of them this weekend. Wisconsin will take on Maryland on Saturday, and they will be without one of their top defensive players. Patrick Johnson has been ruled out with an arm injury, leaving the Badgers short-handed in their secondary.

Isaac Dotson, Washington State

The Washington State Cougars were riding an undefeated season heading into last week, but were pasted by the California Golden Bears. As they look to rebound this weekend against Colorado, they may have to do so without one of their star linebackers. Isaac Dotson is questionable with an undisclosed injury, and his loss would leave the Cougars seriously short-handed in the middle of their defense.