Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book is the biggest name who will miss time due to injury this weekend. Here’s who else is on the Week 11 injury report.
The college football regular season is headed into the home stretch and teams are battling for conference titles while some are just looking to end the year with some pride. Regardless of where each team is, injuries are common toward the end of the season. The long grind has already taken its toll on several talented players. Here is a look at this week’s injury report for Week 11 that sees Notre Dame having to face Florida State without their starting quarterback.
Quarterbacks
Ian Book, Notre Dame
A late addition to the injury report this week is Notre Dame’s starting quarterback who will miss the Florida State game with a reported rib injury in the win vs. Northwestern. Former starter Brandon Wimbush will start in his place
Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Tagovailoa tweaked his knee on a touchdown run in last week’s win over LSU. Fortunately, the star quarterback mentioned after the game he will be ready for Mississippi State this week. Tagovailoa has been the Heisman front-runner since the opening whistle and should be more than fine
Deondre Francois, Florida State
Francois ended up not playing last week due to an injury to his ribs. He was unable to practice fully throughout the week, leading Willie Taggart to roll with James Blackmon. Taggart is unsure if Francois will be able to go this week. If he cannot go or has to be limited due to his rib injury, expect to see Blackmon for a good part of this game.
Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss
Ta’amu injured his ankle in the third quarter of last week’s game against South Carolina. Fortunately, Matt Luke said earlier this week he expects him to play against Texas A&M. He has been limited in practice, but Luke will have his starting quarterback for this Saturday.
Tyler Huntley, Utah
Huntley ended up breaking his collarbone in Utah’s upset loss to Arizona State last week. Kyle Whittingham confirmed this week he did suffer the injury but did not rule him out of playing in a bowl game at the end of the season. The Utes are already bowl eligible at 6-3 but will be finishing the season with redshirt freshman Jason Shelley at quarterback.
Running Backs
Najee Harris, Alabama
Harris sprained his ankle on Alabama’s final scoring drive against LSU last week. Nick Saban said earlier during his press conference he is day-to-day. Harris was limited earlier in the season coming off a fall camp injury. If the former five-star back is unable to play against Mississippi State, the Tide have other options in Damien Harris and Joshua Jacobs.
Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
Snell suffered an ankle injury last week in the Wildcats’ loss to Georgia. Mark Stoops said earlier this week it looks to be more of a bruise, not a sprain, which is a cause for concern. Snell should play this Saturday against Tennessee, but he will not be fully healthy.
Travis Homer, Miami
Miami’s season keeps getting worse as leading rusher Homer is “questionable” this week with a calf injury. With Lorenzo Lingard already out for the year with a knee injury, the Hurricanes’ backfield depth keeps getting thinner. Homer has over 700 yards on the season and has been the most consistent player on Miami’s offense. Having him available for the big game against Georgia Tech would be a huge lift.
Wide Receivers
Henry Ruggs III, Alabama
Ruggs left last week’s game with a leg injury and did not return after heading to the locker room. Saban mentioned he was held out of practice early in the week but expects him to play against Mississippi State. Ruggs is the Tide’s third-leading receiver with 499 yards and eight touchdowns so far.
Mecole Hardman, Georgia
Hardman limped off the field last week after returning a kickoff 24 yards. Kirby Smart confirmed he suffered an ankle injury in the win over Kentucky. Fortunately, Smart does not expect the junior receiver to miss time and he should play against Auburn.
Randall St. Felix, USF
St. Felix ended up not playing last week against Houston due to a knee injury he suffered a few weeks back. Fortunately, Charlie Strong mentioned earlier in the week he should play against Cincinnati. St. Felix is the Bulls’ second-leading receiver with 484 yards on the year along with two touchdowns.
Tight Ends
Cole Herdman, Purdue
Herdman has been dealing with upper extremity issues for the past few weeks according to Jeff Brohm. He did play last week against Iowa but is “questionable” for this week as the Boilermakers face Minnesota. Purdue is 5-4 on the year and can become bowl eligible with a win this week.
Garrett Collingham, Boise State
Collingham suffered a shoulder injury on the opening kickoff last week against BYU. Bryan Harsin confirmed this week he has a separated shoulder and suffered damage to his rotator cuff. He likely will not play against Fresno State. Expect Cody Shoemaker to start.
Shaun Beyer, Iowa
Kirk Ferentz would not elaborate on Beyer’s injury but said he is out indefinitely. Ferentz mentioned Beyer might be ready to play when bowl practices begin but is still unsure. The Hawkeyes are 6-3, but have lost two straight and have a tough game against Northwestern Saturday.
Defensive Stars
Linebacker Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Allen left last week’s game against Oklahoma with a knee injury. While Kliff Kingsbury did not elaborate on what the injury is, he did mention the senior linebacker is day-to-day. With the Red Raiders hosting senior day and Allen being the emotional leader of the defense, he could play but could also sit out to avoid further damage. He also played with a cast on his wrist last week after hurting it against Iowa State.
Linebacker Kaulana Apelu, Oregon
Apelu is out for the rest of the regular season after suffering a fractured led last week. Head coach Mario Cristobal said he could return for Oregon’s bowl game, but nothing is certain. He is second on the team in tackles with 58 with two sacks. Top linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia is also out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Sampson Niu will get the start at middle linebacker this week.
Defensive Back Brandon Jones, Texas
Jones is “questionable” for this week against Texas Tech with an ankle injury he has dealt with over the past few weeks. Coaches believe he suffered the injury sometime last week before Texas played West Virginia. He was held out and may have to sit this game out too. With Davante Davis nursing an ankle injury as well and Breckyn Hager banged up with an elbow injury, the Longhorns’ defense could be short-handed this week.