As Week 5 gets underway, here is a look at who is out and who is in for this week’s injury report.
By late September most teams know what their identity is where they are headed. Unfortunately, some are having to deal with key injuries early in the season. An ACC school has lost their quarterback for what could be a long time and a few key receivers may have to sit out this week. We dive through it all in this week’s injury report.
Quarterbacks
Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech
Jackson fractured his fibula in the Hokies’ loss to Old Dominion. Coach Justin Fuente announced on Monday that he will be out indefinitely. It would not be surprising if he misses the rest of the season. Expect Ryan Willis to start this Saturday.
Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss
Ta’amu has been dealing with a shoulder injury this week he suffered in the Rebels’ last game against Alabama. He was shut down in practice early this week but has been a full go for the rest of the week. He is playing this Saturday against LSU.
Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
Martinez has continued to be bothered by a knee injury he suffered a few weeks ago. Scott Frost pulled him during last week’s game against Michigan. He is “probable” for this week, but he is likely still not at full strength.
Running Backs
David Montgomery, Iowa State
Montgomery suffered a minor shoulder injury during the Cyclones’ win last week. He was limited in practice this week, but Matt Campbell has indicated he is fine for Saturday. Montgomery is Iowa State’s biggest star on offense, so having him healthy is crucial during Big 12 play.
Chris Evans, Michigan
Evans is questionable this week with a leg injury. He tweaked a leg muscle a few weeks ago during the SMU game and was unable to play this past week. Jim Harbaugh is hopeful he can go but is prepared to have other backs handle the load.
LJ Scott, Michigan State
Scott missed last week’s game with an ankle injury. He was dressed for the game but ultimately held out. Mark Dantonio is still unclear if he will play or not this week. If Scott sits out again, expect Connor Heyward or La’Darius Jefferson to get the carries.
Wide Receivers
A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Brown has dealt with his lingering hamstring again this week. Matt Luke mentioned earlier this week he did tweak it again during practice but will be ready to play this week. Brown is one of the top receivers in the country and having him healthy is a big boost for the Rebels’ offense.
T.J. Vasher, Texas Tech
Vasher suffered a sprained knee in Texas Tech’s upset win over Oklahoma State. On Tuesday Kliff Kingsbury said he is doubtful for this week and will be a game-time decision. The 6’6″ receiver is a match-up nightmare for opponents so having him out would hurt the Red Raiders’ attack. Fortunately, Antoine Wesley has emerged these past two weeks and this team has a lot of weapons at receiver.
Terrence Horne, USF
One of the nation’s best returners is lost for the season. Horne tore his ACL in practice last week and missed USF’s conference opener against East Carolina. Earlier this week Charlie Strong confirmed he will be out for the season. Horne set a school record with 264 kick return yards against Georgia Tech and his average of 47 yards per return led the nation.
Tight Ends
Justin Johnson, Mississippi State
Johnson has dealt with a lower-body injury this week. Joe Moorhead said he is day-to-day but likely out for this weekend against Florida. Expect Farrod Green to start in his place.
Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State
Quitoriano missed last week with a hip injury. He is questionable for this Saturday’s game against Arizona State. While the Beavers still have Noah Togiai to rely on, Quintoriano is one of the gems of the 2018 recruiting class.
Jackson Harris, Georgia
Harris has missed the first part of the season due to a foot injury he suffered during camp. Fortunately, Kirby Smart expects him to be back this week’s game against Tennessee. If the Bulldogs want to stay on pace with Alabama, they need to be as healthy as possible moving forward.
Defensive Stars
Ben Edwards, Safety, Stanford
Edwards suffered an undisclosed injury during the team’s overtime win over Oregon. David Shaw has decided to hold him out for this week’s game against Notre Dame. Edwards is one of the senior captains for this defense, so having him out hurts the Cardinal on the back-end for this one.
Niko Small, Safety, TCU
Small left last week’s game against Texas with an undisclosed injury. Gary Patterson says he is doubtful for this Saturday’s game against Iowa State. Small is one of the Horned Frogs’ best defenders and having him sit out this week could hurt going up against a resilient Cyclone team.
Kendall Joseph, Linebacker, Clemson
Joseph missed last week’s game against Georgia Tech with a groin injury. He suffered the injury last week during practice. Dabo Swinney says he is questionable for this week as the Tigers take on undefeated Syracuse. Expect senior J.D. Davis to start for him again this week if he cannot go.