College football Week 9 injury report: Kelly Bryant to return for Clemson
By Brad Weiss
The college football season is incredibly exciting entering Week 9, 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 9. The biggest matchup of the weekend will come from the Big Ten when the No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions hit the horseshoe for a battle against No. 6 Ohio State. In BIg 12 action, Oklahoma State will take on West Virginia in a matchup of top-25 teams, and TCU will take on Iowa State. Notre Dame and NC State will both look to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive on Saturday when they meet up inside Notre Dame Stadium.
Here is a look at some key players who may miss time this week due to injury.
Quarterbacks
Kelly Bryant, Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are still very much alive for a spot in the College Football Playoff, and they will have their signal-caller back under center this weekend. The Tigers will take on Georgia Tech in ACC action, and Bryant has been cleared from concussion protocol. If the Tigers are to make a run, they need Bryant at 100 percent the rest of the way.
Sam Darnold, USC
The USC Trojans were trounced by Notre Dame last weekend, and to make matters worse, they had to pull their starting quarterback in the fourth due to an ankle injury. It looks like that was just as a precaution in a blowout, as Sam Darnold is expected to play this weekend. The Trojans will do battle against a very good Arizona State team in Pac-12 action, so it will be interesting to see how the team rebounds.
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
The University of Texas is growing every week under new head coach Tom Herman, and they nearly beat Oklahoma State last weekend. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger is dealing with a concussion and is questionable for this weekend’s matchup. The Longhorns will take on Baylor, so they should be able to get the win even if Ehlinger cannot go in this one.
Jesse Ertz, Kansas State
Kansas State looked pretty good last weekend without Jesse Ertz under center, but they most certainly want their leader back. Ertz is questionable with a knee injury for this weekend’s game, when the Wildcats will take on the Kansas Jayhawks. Even without Ertz under center, the Wildcats should roll, so head coach Bill Snyder may want to keep him out one more week.
Running Backs
Nick Wilson, Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the Pac-12 and are seriously running all over their competition. Last weekend, they beat Cal despite getting nothing from star running back Nick Wilson. Wilson is questionable once again this weekend, as he is dealing with an ankle injury, and may miss the Wildcats big matchup against Washington State.
Abdul Adams, Oklahoma
Oklahoma will take on Texas Tech 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 are still very much alive in the College Football Playoff race, and they will need all their horses if they wish to sneak in after losing to Iowa State two weeks ago.
Stephen Carr, USC
The Trojans were waxed last weekend by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as they have to make due without standout freshman running back Stephen Carr. USC will take on Arizona State this weekend, and Carr may miss time again. Without Carr in the fold against Notre Dame, the Trojans rushed for under 80 yards as a team.
James Butler, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes will do battle against Minnesota in Big Ten action this weekend, though they will be without their running back. James Butler is battling back from an elbow injury, and while expected to miss close to a month, he may actually be back for this one. Iowa is a tough nut to crack, and with Butler back, they should roll over the Golden Gophers.
Wide Receivers
Mike Dudek, Illinois
Illinois has a huge chance to pull off a serious upset this weekend, as they will take on the undefeated Wisconsin Badgers. Mike Dudek suffered a knee injury against Rutgers and is questionable for the game this Saturday. If he cannot go, expect the Fighting Illini to be very limited on offense.
Jazz Peavy, Wisconsin
Staying with the Illinois-Wisconsin game, it looks like the Badgers will be without one of their star wideouts. Jazz Peavy is officially out for the Big Ten matchup, as he is dealing with an ankle injury. Peavy and the Badgers are a sleeper to get to the College Football Playoff, so they will need him back if they are going to make a serious run.
Mike Harley, Miami (FL)
The Miami Hurricanes seem to get bit by the injury bug every week, and now they may be without Mike Harley for this weekend’s game. Harley is dealing with an ankle injury suffered against Syracuse, but the team is hopeful he will play. Miami will take on the University of North Carolina Tar Heels with their undefeated season on the line, and Harley is officially listed as probable.
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the biggest game on the slate in Week 9, and the Buckeyes are hoping to have their star wideout ready to go. Parris Campbell is probable for the Big Ten battle, but he is dealing with a head injury. This game should be a classic, as the winner is nearly 100 percent likely to win the Big Ten East Division.
Tight Ends
Alex Marshall, Florida State
The Florida State Seminoles are having a disappointing season by their standards, but they are starting to string some wins together. On Friday, the Seminoles may be without their tight end, as Alex Marshall is questionable with a hand injury. Boston College has been pretty decent this season, so this one could be a close game in a big ACC matchup.
Chase Blakely, Boise State
The Boise State Broncos love to throw the ball, but they may be without their tight end on Saturday. The Broncos Chase Blakely is dealing with a leg injury and is questionable for the team’s game against Utah State. Boise should be able to take care of business without him in the lineup, but they are going to need him moving forward.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns select another QB No. 1
Defensive Stars
Jaire Alexander, Louisville
The Louisville Cardinals will likely be without Jaire Alexander once again this weekend, as he is still nursing a knee injury. The Cardinals are taking on Wake Forest, and without Alexander in the secondary, they may find it hard to stop the Demon Deacons offense. Wake is coming off three straight losses, so John Wolford and company will be fired up to take on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Lamar Jackson.
Iman Marshall, USC
The USC Trojans are looking to get back on track this weekend, but are playing an Arizona State team with a solid quarterback in Manny Wilkins. Unfortunately for the Trojans, they will likely be without Iman Marshall, who is listed as doubtful. Marshall is a potential first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, so he will be sorely missed on Saturday.
Alani Latu, Arizona State
The Arizona State could make a serious statement this weekend against USC, who is coming off a bad loss to Notre Dame. The Sun Devils have played some solid football this season, and are likely to have one of their better linebackers healthy for the matchup. Alani Latu was dealing with a foot injury, but he is listed as probable for this one.
Reggie Carter, Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs are looking to cement their place atop the SEC East Division, but they will have to beat the defending champions, the Florida Gators on Saturday. The Bulldogs will have their star linebacker back in the fold, as Reggie Carter is listed as probable. Carter has been dealing with a concussion, but he will be terrorizing the Gators this weekend.
Josey Jewell, Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes have one of the best linebackers in the country in Josey Jewell, and they will likely have him this weekend. Jewell is dealing with a shoulder issue, but he has been listed as probable. Iowa is always a tough out, and if he and James Butler are back, they should roll over the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Deonte Holden, NC State
The NC State Wolfpack have an opportunity to show the world they belong in the playoff picture when they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday. However, they may have to do it without one of their defensive ends, as Deonte Holden is questionable. He is dealing with an upper body injury, and if he cannot go, expect the Irish to key on protecting Brandon Wimbush from Bradley Chubb.