As we enter Championship Weekend in college football, injuries are piling up, and some teams could be without some big names this weekend.
It is officially time for Championship Weekend in college football, and boy are there some great games on tap. College Football Playoff spots are still up for grabs, and the winner of the SEC and ACC title games should be a lock to be one of the final four teams. All teams are battling injuries heading into their biggest game of the season, so keep an eye on the injury report as we get closer to kickoff on Friday night.
Here is a look at some big-name players who could miss time this weekend.
Quarterbacks
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was injured by a cameraman before the Buckeyes win against Michigan this past weekend inside the Big House. However, the injury to his knee will not keep him out, as he is currently listed as probable for Ohio State’s Big Ten title game matchup against Wisconsin. If Barrett is 100 percent, this Buckeyes offense should be able to hang in there with a tough Wisconsin defense.
Matt Linehan, Idaho
The Idaho Vandals are not playing in a championship game this weekend, but the loss of Matt Linehan is still a big one. The signal-caller is dealing with a hand injury, and will not play for the Vandals in their season finale against Georgia State. Linehan will finish the season with 16 touchdowns against four interceptions, to go along with over 10,000 passing yards for his career.
Tyler Rogers, New Mexico State
The New Mexico State Lobos will take on South Alabama this weekend, in their season finale. The Lobos will have their starting quarterback under center, as Tyler Rogers is probable with a shoulder injury. Rogers, who is a senior, has thrown for over 3,300 yards this season and has tossed 24 touchdowns in the process.
Running Backs
Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
The Auburn Tigers might be the hottest team in college football right now, and they should be at 100 percent for their SEC title game against Georgia. Kerryon Johnson was injured in the Tigers huge win over Alabama last weekend but is listed as probable for Saturday. Johnson has been the key to this recent run for Auburn, who will make the College Football Playoff with a win.
Bryce Love, Stanford
One of the front-runners for the Heisman Trophy, Bryce Love has enjoyed an incredible season for the Stanford Cardinal. On Friday, he will look to capture a Pac-12 title for the Cardinal, as they take on USC. Love has nursed an ankle injury, but he is listed as probable for the game against the Trojans on Friday night.
Bradrick Shaw, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers can stay undefeated with a win in the Big Ten title game on Saturday but will need running back Bradrick Shaw to do so. Shaw is questionable for the game with an undisclosed injury, which could leave the Badgers short-handed in the backfield. If there is any way he can go, expect Shaw in the lineup on Saturday.
Travis Etienne, Clemson
The Miami Hurricanes will take on the Clemson Tigers on Saturday in the ACC title game, and they could face a Hurricanes offense without their star running back. Travis Etienne has been a touchdown machine for the Tigers but is listed as questionable with a leg injury. If he cannot go, the Tigers could be limited to what they can do on the offensive side of the ball.
Wide Receivers
Ahmmon Richards, Miami
A brutal loss for the Hurricanes as Ahmmon Richards injured his knee at practice on Wednesday and had to be carted off the field. Richards was third on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The extent of his injury is unknown but rarely will players be carted off the field and play three days later, so he’s not expected to suit up at all for the Canes vs. Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Compounding this injury is the season-ending loss to tight end Chris Herndon.
Jaylen Guyton, North Texas
Lane Kiffin has led Florida Atlantic to the Conference USA title game in his first season at the school, and his team should roll on Saturday. Their opponent, North Texas, is likely to be without wideout Jaylen Guyton, who is dealing with a concussion. He is still in concussion protocol and is officially listed as questionable for the game.
George Rushing, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers like to keep the ball on the ground, but quarterback Alex Hornibrook has put up some good numbers this season. On Saturday, the Badgers take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game, and they may be without wideout George Rushing. Wisconsin has had to deal with injuries to their receiving corps all season long, especially star Jazz Peavy.
JaTarvious Whitlow, Auburn
The Auburn Tigers are already dealing with a banged up running back crew, and now one of their wideouts is listed as questionable for the SEC Championship Game. JaTarvious Whitlow is uncertain to play with an ankle injury, which would leave the Tigers short at the wideout position in a game that would lock them up a College Football Playoff berth with a victory.
Tight Ends
Jake Roh, Boise State
Jake Roh has been dealing with a foot injury for what seems like forever, and it just may keep him out of the Mountain West title game on Saturday. Roh is currently listed as questionable for a Boise State team who may be without both of their tight ends, as Chase Barkley is also dealing with a leg injury.
Tyler Petite, USC
The USC Trojans will take on the Stanford Cardinal in the Pac-12 title game, and one of their tight ends looks to be healthy enough to go. Tyler Petite is listed as probable for the game, though he is dealing with a shoulder injury. Petite has caught at least one ball in all but two games this season.
Next: College Football Playoff ranking: 3 key takeaways
Defensive Stars
Tre Lamar, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers can punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff with a win on Saturday, but they will have to topple one-loss Miami (FL) to do so. The Tigers could be without Tre Lamar, who is listed as questionable with a back injury. Clemson won it all last season and would like nothing more than to repeat in January.
Dante Booker, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes have dealt with injuries to Dante Booker all season, and they may be without him in the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday. Booker is still dealing with a concussion and is officially listed as questionable for the game. He is a phenomenal talent, and the injuries have really been a shame this season.
Travin Howard, TCU
The TCU Horned Frogs will take on the best quarterback in college football on Saturday, as they battle against Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game. For the Horned Frogs, linebacker Travin Howard is probable, and against the Sooners offense, they are going to need all hands on deck.
Rasheem Green, USC
The USC Trojans have a tall task at hand in the likes of Stanford running back Bryce Love, but they are fairly healthy on defense heading into the game. Defensive tackle Rasheem Green is currently listed as probable for the Pac-12 title game, as he appears healthy enough to from his shoulder injury. Love can run with the best of them, so having Green back is huge.
D’cota Dixon, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers need to win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive on Saturday, as they take on Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Badgers have injuries on both sides of the ball, including safety D’cota Dixon. Dixon is dealing with a leg injury and is officially listed as questionable.