Category: College Football
CFB Injury Updates from Saturday October 17
I break down the injury news from this past weekend with notes on each player who may have been dealing with injuries. I also sometimes dig into players who may have been out for non-injury reasons as well.
A few notes about this list, being on it does not for sure mean a player is “injured”, but rather:
- They may have missed the game due to a known injury (ok, this does mean they are injured)
- They may have gone out of the game due to injury and not returned (sometimes with an official announcement from the team)
- They may have left the game but returned, or at least attempted to return (sometimes these guys end up banged up enough to miss future games)
- They may have had a vague twitter mention about possibly being injured or leaving a game, so it’s something on my radar
I’ll continue to post any updates I see during the week, those will be added to daily updates as well as the injury database.
If you are aware of a fantasy-relevant injury from this weekend that you don’t see here (or don’t see listed in the database), or think anything shared here is incomplete, please tag me on twitter with a link and let me know, thanks!
List of Potential Injury News from Saturday Oct. 17 (alphabetical by last name):
- QB Holton Ahlers, East Carolina – did not play for covid-related reasons. Interestingly yesterday a family member of his angrily shared on social media that Ahlers was only allowed to have one test after testing positive (unlike say Nick Saban who got 3). Said that all his teammates around him were negative and Ahlers went and got another test on his own which was negative insinuating the original test was a false positive. Take that for what it’s worth.
- RB Otis Anderson, UCF – in the 2nd quarter he was apparently injured, went to the locker room with pads off, but was able to return to action in the 2nd half
- RB Christian Beal-Smith, Wake Forest – there were reports that he was taken to the locker room in the 3rd quarter, unclear if he returned to the game but the play by play looks like all RB Kenneth Walker late in the game
- WR Damonte Coxie, Memphis – not an injury, but after rumors swirled near the end of the week Coxie did not play Saturday. In postgame the team shared that he is not part of the program right now, insinuating perhaps either an opt out or possibly a personal leave of absence.
- RB Johnny Ford, South Florida – went down late in the 4th quarter with a possible ankle injury. The team had no official update postgame, although Coach Jeff Scott said he saw Ford walking in the locker room, which seems positive.
- RB Kylin Hill, Mississippi State – not an injury, but the pregame buzz about his availability was confirmed as Hill did not play Saturday. The reports were that he did not play due to a suspension for behavioral reasons. In postgame Mike Leach said Hill’s future availability was unclear.
- TE Brevin Jordan, Miami – a week ago suffered an apparent right shoulder injury and was described as questionable midweek, was on the sideline not suited up on Saturday
- QB Devin Leary, NC State – he was carted off with an air cast and it was revealed Sunday morning that he had successful surgery for a broken fibula and will be out 4-8 weeks.
- WR Braden Lenzy, Notre Dame – in postgame it was shared that he had a soft tissue injury which limited his availability
- RB Joshua Mack, Liberty – after not getting any first half action it was revealed at halftime that he had been dealing with an illness (stomach bug) the past couple days and was not expected to play in the second half.
- QB Dalen Morris, Navy – in the 3rd quarter he was “speared” on a hit according to one reporter, leading him to be officially shared by the team to be out for the rest of the game with an upper body injury.
- QB Lowell Narcisse, UTSA – In the 4th quarter he was carted off with an air cast on his left leg and taken to the hospital. In postgame the coach quote was “it doesn’t look good”.
- RB Trent Pennix, NC State – there were numerous reports of him heading to the locker room in the first half, but I didn’t see any additional updates
- QB Taisun Phommachanh, Clemson – the reserve QB broke a bone in his left hand getting mop-up duty during the blowout of Georgia Tech. The team shared an update Sunday that he had surgery to have screws inserted and was described as day to day.
- QB Kenny Pickett, Pitt – he did not travel for the Miami game with an ankle injury. In postgame Pat Narduzzi essentially admitted to giving misleading quotes about Pickett so as to not help the opponent. He said he knew early in the week Pickett would not play but wouldn’t comment on whether he had a procedure on his ankle. Said “there’s a chance” Pickett could play next week, but if not next week then hopefully would return after the bye week.
- WR Gunner Romney, BYU – In the second half of Friday night’s game Romney was dealing with a hamstring issue which took him to the medical tent and sidelined him the rest of the game.
- WR TJ Simmons, West Virginia – Early in the first half Simmons took a big hit and was seen not in pads on the sideline for the rest of the game with what was thought to possibly be concussion symptoms.
- RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M – in postgame it was shared that he was nicked up late in the game but could have returned if needed
- QB Jordan Travis, Florida State – anyone watching the game could see that Travis seemed to be dealing with and playing through a possible left arm/shoulder injury. In postgame the coach quote was just that he was a “warrior”.
- WR Tre Turner, Virginia Tech – in the 3rd quarter he was officially ruled out for the rest of the game as he was on the sideline without his helmet, the team had no postgame update when asked
CFB Player Updates – Sat. October 17
These updates are a mix of inactives, players who returned to action, QB starters, and some simple injury updates (but not all). Look for a separate post later today (Sunday) with in-depth Saturday injury news.
A few updates from teams not yet playing (but have begun practice) are mixed in as well.
List of Updates from October 17 (unless noted):
QBs: In the biggest QB news, Holton Ahlers (ECU) had some end of week rumors about covid-related issues confirmed as he sat out, while Kenny Pickett (Pitt) did not travel to Miami and Brennan Armstrong (Virginia) was out due to concussion protocol.
- Holton Ahlers, East Carolina – unavailable, covid-related
- Christian Anderson, Army – unavailable, re-injured in practice
- Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – did not play, concussion protocol
- Cade Ballard, Army – started
- Rex Culpepper, Syracuse – started with Tommy DeVito out
- Jalon Daniels, Kansas – listed out as expected
- Mike Fallon, UMass – started
- Mason Garcia, East Carolina – started with Holton Ahlers out
- Frank Harris, UTSA – played late after Lowell Narcisse hurt
- Jemel Jones, Army – unavailable, injured last weekend but had been practicing
- Miles Kendrick, Kansas – started
- Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – described as available
- Katravis Marsh, South Florida – unavailable
- Brady McBride, Texas State – started, team says will stick with one QB
- McKenzie Milton, UCF – not dressed
- Lowell Narcisse, UTSA – started but injured
- Kenny Pickett, Pitt – did not travel, out
- Lindell Stone, Virginia – started with Brennan Armstrong out
- Kevaris Thomas, Western Kentucky – started
- Jordan Travis, Florida State – played
- Desmond Trotter, South Alabama – started as he returned to action, shared time
- DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson – did not play, sore shoulder
- Joey Yellen, Pitt – started with Pickett out
RBs: Rakeem Boyd (Arkansas) & James Cook (Georgia) were back in action, while Otis Anderson and Greg McCrae played for UCF and Sean Tucker was in action for Syracuse all after dealing with injuries in their last game. Joshua Mack (Liberty) did not play due to illness, while Kylin Hill (Mississippi State) was reportedly suspended yesterday.
- Israel Abanikanda, Pitt – not on travel roster
- Oscar Adaway, North Texas – unavailable after being questionable
- Otis Anderson, UCF – played
- Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – returned to action
- Brendan Brady, UTSA – dressed, DNP
- Mulbah Car, Houston – played (Friday)
- James Cook, Georgia – returned to action
- AJ Davis, Pitt – returned to action
- Darrian Felix, South Florida – unavailable
- Sione Finau, BYU – warmed up in pregame, did not play (Friday)
- Kylin Hill, Mississippi State – suspended
- Jalen Holston, Virginia Tech – unavailable
- Travis Levy, Boston College – played
- Joshua Mack, Liberty – Did Not Play, illness (non-covid)
- Demetrius Mauney, ECU – unavailable
- Sandon McCoy, Army – returned to action
- Greg McCrae, UCF – played
- Darius Pinnix, ECU – unavailable
- Shaun Shivers, Auburn – warmed up, available, DNP (that I’m aware)
- Bentavious Thompson, UCF – did not travel
- Sean Tucker, Syracuse – played
- Ronnie Walker, Virginia – late scratch, illness
WRs & TEs: In more high profile receiver news, Marlon Williams (UCF), Treylon Burks (Arkansas) & Eli Stove (Auburn) were in action Saturday, while TE Brevin Jordan (Miami) and Smoke Harris (Louisiana Tech) did not suit up. And finally Damonte Coxie (Memphis) did not play as his status with the program is unclear right now.
- Treylon Burks, Arkansas – returned to action
- Damonte Coxie, Memphis – did not play
- Noah Frith, Liberty – out
- Smoke Harris, Louisiana Tech – not dressed
- Akeem Hayes, Kentucky – not at game (suspension?)
- Ra’Shaun Henry, Virginia – not dressed
- TE Brevin Jordan, Miami – did not play
- Tavares Kelly, Virginia – played
- Lawrence Keys, Notre Dame – unavailable (concussion protocol)
- Jaivian Lofton, Liberty – out
- Jimmy Marshall, MTSU – on unavailable list
- TE Jacob Mathis, South Florida – unavailable
- Joseph Ngata, Clemson – played
- Tre Nixon, UCF – not in warmups
- Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – warmed up
- TE Dylan Parham, NC State – played
- Eli Stove, Auburn – returned to action
- TE Carl Tucker, Alabama – not dressed out (hamstring)
- Xavier Weaver, South Florida – unavailable
- Ethon Williams, Boston College – unavailable
- Marlon Williams, UCF – played
- TE Spencer Witter, Boston College – unavailable (appeared to get injured last weekend, haven’t seen any reports)
- Jaron Woodyard, Marshall – not travel
- CJ Yarbrough, Liberty – doubtful, did not play
- Tyrone Young-Smith, Utah – done for season with an injury
The Starting QB for Every FBS Team
Following is a list of every FBS team playing this fall with either the named starter (bolded), who the assumed starter will likely be based upon an established previous starter returning, or who the likely candidates are (although there are sure to be some surprises).
As teams name official QB1s or release depth charts to start the season (usually within 1-2 weeks of first game) this list will be updated. Reminder – this list is only up until each team’s first game.
Listed by conference:
AAC:
- Cincinnati – Desmond Ridder was the starter last year and is #1 again
- East Carolina – Holton Ahlers returns from last season
- Houston – Clayton Tune returns after replacing D’Eriq King last year
- Memphis – Brady White returns and confirmed QB1
- Navy – Dalen Morris is the starter on the depth chart for week 1
- SMU – Shane Buechele is back starting after passing for almost 4000 yards last year
- South Florida – Jordan McCloud has been reported to be the opening starter and is the most experienced returner, Cade Fortin may be in the mix
- Temple – Anthony Russo has been called the starter by his coaches, Trad Beatty & Re-al Mitchell competing to back-up
- Tulane – Keon Howard has been named QB1
- Tulsa – Zach Smith is back after 3279 yards in 2019
- UCF – Dillon Gabriel returns, Milton McKenzie is not yet healed after a severe leg injury
ACC:
- Boston College – Phil Jurkovec (eligible after transfer from Notre Dame), got the start after being listed with an OR with last year’s part-time starter Dennis Grosel
- Clemson – Trevor Lawrence, you may have heard of him
- Duke – Chase Brice transferred from Clemson and was named starter over Chris Katrenick & Gunnar Holmberg
- Florida State – James Blackman named the starter
- Georgia Tech – Jeff Sims has been named the starter over returner James Graham as well as Jordan Yates & Tucker Gleason
- Louisville – Micale Cunningham returns after sharing time last season
- Miami – Houston transfer D’Eriq King has been named the starter
- NC State – Devin Leary was listed as the week 1 starter, but Bailey Hockman got the start due to Leary missing time in quarantine
- North Carolina – Sam Howell returns after a big freshman season
- Notre Dame – Ian Book returns from 3034 yards in 2019
- Pitt – Kenny Pickett is back after a 3000 yard passing season
- Syracuse – Tommy Devito returns and will start
- Virginia – Brennan Armstrong named starter, was backup to Bryce Perkins last season
- Virginia Tech – Hendon Hooker has been named the starter but Braxton Burmeister actually got the start as Hooker was unavailable
- Wake Forest – Sam Hartman named starter after throwing for 800 yards while Jamie Newman was injured last year
Big 12:
- Baylor – Charlie Brewer returns and will start after late-season injury
- Iowa State – Brock Purdy returns after putting up big numbers last season
- Kansas – depth chart lists OR between Thomas MacVittie & Miles Kendrick – they shared time in the first game with MacVittie taking first snaps
- Kansas State – Skylar Thompson returns and will start
- Oklahoma – Spencer Rattler has been named the starter
- Oklahoma State – dual-threat Spencer Sanders returner named QB1
- TCU – Matthew Downing was named the game 1 starter, although Max Duggan has returned to practice – Duggan actually got more time in game 1 although Downing started
- Texas – Sam Ehlinger is back after tossing 3663 yards last year
- Texas Tech – Alan Bowman returns from injury and will start week 1, could face competition from Henry Colombi
- West Virginia – Jarrett Doege has been named the starter over Austin Kendall
Big Ten:
- Illinois – Brandon Peters returns and has been acknowledged to be the starter, passed for 1884 yards in 11 games
- Indiana – Michael Penix returns after splitting time last season
- Iowa – Spencer Petras is QB1 on the depth chart, Alex Padilla #2
- Maryland – Josh Jackson opted out, Taulia Tagovailoa (eligible) and Lance LeGendre listed as OR on the first depth chart, Tagovailoa started
- Michigan – Dylan McCaffrey has opted out making Joe Milton the expected starter as he has been taking #1 reps
- Michigan State – competition may be between Rocky Lombardi (started), Payton Thorne & Theo Day
- Minnesota – Tanner Morgan is back after throwing for over 3200 yards last season
- Nebraska – dual-threat Adrian Martinez is back yet again and will start the opener, reserve Luke McCaffrey also returns
- Northwestern – a lot of QBs in the stable here – Peyton Ramsey transferred from Northwestern and will start, back are Hunter Johnson, TJ Green plus Andrew Marty from their injury-ridden season last year (Aidan Smith opted out)
- Ohio State – Justin Fields is back to likely compete for the Heisman
- Penn State – Sean Clifford returns from a 2654-23 season
- Purdue – Austin Burton transferred from UCLA, competing with Jack Plummer and Aidan O’Connell (started)
- Rutgers – Artur Sitkowski (returns after playing then redshirting last season) and Noah Vedral (started) are listed with an OR, Johnny Langan also back after filling in
- Wisconsin – last year’s starter Jack Coan was injured in preseason, so Graham Mertz will start
Conference USA:
- Charlotte – last year’s starter Chris Reynolds returns
- Florida Atlantic – with Chris Robison’s unexpected departure, Nick Tronti has been named the starter
- Florida International – dual threat Kaylan Wiggins returns, may face competition from Max Bortenschlager (MD transfer) and Stone Norton – all 3 were listed with an OR on the first depth chart, Bortenschlager got the first snaps but Norton the most playing time in the opener
- Louisiana Tech – Aaron Allen took the first snaps after being listed with an OR with Luke Anthony on first depth chart
- Marshall – Grant Wells has been named the starter beating out Luke Zban, as Isaiah Green does not appear to be with the team despite reports he withdrew from the transfer portal
- Middle Tennessee St – Asher O’Hara returns
- North Texas – Austin Aune & Jason Bean were listed as co-starters for week 1, Bean actually got the start
- ODU – NOT PLAYING
- Rice – potential battle between Mike Collins (was named starter), TCU transfer and JoVoni Johnson
- Southern Miss – Jack Abraham is QB1 on the first depth chart after almost 3500 yards passing last year
- UAB – Tyler Johnston has been named the starter over his injury replacement last season Dylan Hopkins
- UTEP – Gavin Hardison named starter after TJ Goodwin opted out
- UTSA – Frank Harris got the first game start, Lowell Narcisse & Jordan Weeks return, Josh Adkins transferred in from New Mexico State – team listed all 4 with an OR on their depth chart for week 1
- Western Kentucky – Tyrrell Pigrome, Maryland transfer, has been named the week 1 starter
MAC:
- Akron – Kato Nelson is back from an 1820 yard season, Zach Gibson started
- Ball State – Drew Plitt threw for 2918 yards last year
- Bowling Green – Matt McDonald, Boston College transfer, is expected to be the starter
- Buffalo – both Kyle Vantrease and Matt Myers (starter until injured last season) return
- Central Michigan – David Moore was not cleared from his suspension, Daniel Richardson started
- Eastern Michigan – Preston Hutchinson returns after backing up Mike Glass last year
- Kent State – Dustin Crum is back from a strong season, 2625 passing, 707 rushing yards
- Miami (OH) – Brett Gabbert returns after passing for 2411 yards
- Northern Illinois – Ross Bowers passed for 2130 yards last season as he dealt with concussions
- Ohio – Kurtis Rourke (brother of Nathan) likely competing with UNLV transfer Armani Rogers
- Toledo – Eli Peters and Carter Bradley are both back after some QB shuffling last year behind departed Mitchell Guadagni
- Western Michigan – Kaleb Eleby may be the frontrunner after redshirting last season, reserve Griffin Alstott is also back
Mountain West:
- Air Force – Donald Hammond is out as he is not in good standing as a cadet, Warren Bryan and Haaziq Daniels listed with an OR on the initial depth chart, Daniels actually started
- Boise State – last year’s starter Hank Bachmeier returns and will start, as does his frequent injury replacement Chase Cord
- Colorado State – Patrick O’Brien is back after throwing for 2803 yards when he took over for an injured Collin Hill, competing with Todd Centeio, a Temple transfer, listed with an OR on the depth chart
- Fresno State – Jake Haener (Washington transfer) has been named the starter over Ben Wooldridge, a reserve from last year
- Hawaii – Chevan Cordeiro is back after being a sub for Cole McDonald at times last season
- Nevada – Carson Strong returns after throwing for 2335 yards last year
- New Mexico – Tevaka Tuioti has been named the week 1 starter despite reports that Trae Hall has been taking the majority of first team reps early in camp. Brandt Hughes is out for the season with a shoulder injury.
- San Diego State – Carson Baker (Ryan Agnew’s backup last season) will be the starter
- San Jose State – Nick Starkel (transferred from Arkansas) is listed with an OR with Nick Nash, Starkel got the week 1 start
- UNLV – Kenyon Oblad took over the position last year passing for 2081 yards, listed with an OR with Max Gilliam OR Justin Rogers (TCU transfer), Gilliam actually started but shared time
- Utah State – Jason Shelley was a late transfer from Utah and will start
- Wyoming – Sean Chambers dealt with injuries last year but is back, along with Levi Williams
Pac-12:
- Arizona – Grant Gunnell, part-time starter with departed Khalil Tate last-season, returns
- Arizona State – Jayden Daniels is back from a freshman season where he threw for almost 3000 yards
- Cal – experienced Chase Garbers returns
- Colorado – Tyler Lytle, Brendon Lewis, Sam Noyer in competition
- Oregon – going into fall camp Tyler Shough is taking first team snaps, competing with Boston College transfer Anthony Brown
- Oregon State – Tristan Gebbia could be the favorite, Chance Nolan could compete
- Stanford – Davis Mills comes back from a season where he split time, Jack West also returns, West actually started after Mills had a false positive which kept him out
- UCLA – Dorian Thompson-Robinson is back from passing for 2701 yards last year
- USC – Kedon Slovis returns from a 3502 yard passing-season
- Utah – Jake Bentley, South-Carolina transfer, and Cameron Rising likely in competition, Drew Lisk also listed on preseason depth chart
- Washington – Jacob Sirmon may be the favorite, also Dylan Morris
- Washington State – may be a wide-open competition between Cammon Cooper, Jayden de Laura, Gunner Cruz, and possibly others
SEC:
- Alabama – Mac Jones will be the starter, but may get competition from Bryce Young
- Arkansas – Feleipe Franks transferred from Florida, beating out KJ Jefferson
- Auburn – Bo Nix returns after starting last season
- Florida – Kyle Trask returns this year
- Georgia – Jamie Newman (Wake Forest) opted out, JT Daniels (USC) has been cleared for practices and scrimmages but not officially medically cleared for games yet, D’Wan Mathis got the start
- Kentucky – Terry Wilson returns from injury and named starter, with others in the mix, Joey Gatewood’s waiver is still pending
- LSU – Myles Brennan has been named the starter, as expected
- Mississippi State – Stanford-transfer KJ Costello was listed with an OR with Will Rogers, but Mike Leach said he expects Costello to start, last year’s part-time QB Garrett Shrader has been working at slot receiver
- Missouri – has said they won’t announce before Game 1, Shawn Robinson got the OR with Connor Bazelek, Taylor Powell announced he will transfer – Robinson was the starter
- Ole Miss – John Rhys Plumlee and Matt Corral again in competition this year, with an OR on the first depth chart, Corral actually got the start
- South Carolina – Collin Hill (Colorado St transfer) named week 1 starter over Ryan Hilinski
- Tennessee – Jarrett Guarantano is the starter, Brian Maurer and JT Shrout also are back
- Texas A&M – dual-threat Kellen Mond returns again
- Vanderbilt – the depth chart has a 4-way OR between Ken Seals, Mike Wright, Danny Clark & Jeremy Moussa, Seals got the starting the nod
Sun Belt:
- Appalachian State – Zac Thomas returns from last season
- Arkansas State – Logan Bonner will start game 1, Layne Hatcher was listed with an OR on the depth chart and is also expected to play
- Coastal Carolina – Despite the Week 1 depth chart says Fred Payton OR Bryce Carpenter, it was Grayson McCall who actually started
- Georgia Southern – Shai Werts returns and named starter
- Georgia State – Cornelious Brown beat out Jamil Muhammad (Vanderbilt)
- Louisiana (Lafayette) – Levi Lewis returns
- South Alabama – Desmond Trotter QB1 on the depth chart
- Texas State – Brady McBride, Memphis transfer, has been named the starter over Tyler Vitt
- Troy – Gunnar Watson named starter
- UL Monroe – Colby Suits named starter, Jeremy Hunt also expected to play
Independents:
- Army – Christian Anderson started game 1 over Jabari Laws, who may be dealing with an injury
- BYU – Zach Wilson is back from injury and has been named the starter, Baylor Romney and Jaren Hall also got time in Wilson’s absence
- Liberty – Malik Willis (Auburn transfer) announced as the starter, listed as OR on the first depth chart with Chris Ferguson
- UMass – Andrew Brito was not listed on the depth chart, Mike Fallon (the only other returner who threw a pass for the Minutemen last year) is OR with Josiah Johnson OR Will Koch
If you have seen any depth charts or leads different than what you see here please tag me with a link on @FBSFantasyFoot.
CFB Injuries & Updates – Thur-Fri. October 15-16
On Thursday Georgia State RB Destin Coates and Arkansas State RB Marcel Murray were revealed close to game-time (when twitter was coming back to life after being down) to both be out for the Thursday night game. Arkansas RB Rakeem Boyd and WR Treylon Burks as well as Auburn WR Eli Stove all sound probable to play this weekend.
Friday was really very quiet, Northwestern QB Aidan Smith opted out as did Northern Illinois RB Jordan Nettles. Kansas shared that head coach Les Miles would not travel to West Virginia for their game.
List of Injuries & Updates from October 15-16:
QBs:
- Kenny Pickett, Pitt – not 100% but sounds likely to play
- Aidan Smith, Northwestern – opts out of season
- Desmond Trotter, South Alabama – has been practicing, competing with Chance Lovertich for #1 reps
- Western Kentucky – coach did not reveal who would start on Saturday between Tyrrell Pigrome and Kevaris Thomas
RBs:
- Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – tweets that he is back
- Destin Coates, Georgia State – unavailable Thursday night
- AJ Davis, Pitt – back to full health
- Joshua Mack, Liberty – disciplinary issue from last week (sounds like class attendance) is past, ready to be featured back
- Jordan Mason, Georgia Tech – he is again not listed on the Above the Line chart, reporter answered a question from a reader saying he will hopefully be back at some point this season
- Marcel Murray, Arkansas State – not dressed out Thursday night
- Jordan Nettles, Northern Illinois – opts out of season
- Seth Paige, Georgia State – made his season debut Thursday night
WRs & TEs:
- Alante Brown, Nebraska – back to full health
- Treylon Burks, Arkansas – has been practicing, expected to play
- TE Arik Gilbert, LSU – has been limited in practice
- Jsi Hatfield, East Carolina – expected to be available this weekend after missing last two games
- Lawrence Keys, Notre Dame – in concussion protocol
- Terrace Marshall, LSU – has been limited in practice
- Oliver Martin, Nebraska – waiting on eligibility waiver after transfer from Iowa
- Cornelius McCoy, Georgia State – unavailable Thursday
- CJ Moore – commits to Washington State after time at Oklahoma State and Iowa Central CC
- Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – has been practicing this week and is hopeful (similar to previous weeks)
- Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska – sounds full speed again
- Eli Stove, Auburn – expected to play Saturday
- Dylan Thomas, TCU – enters portal as a grad transfer
- TE Jason Whittaker, Northwestern – opts out of season
CFB Injuries & Updates – Wed. October 14
On Wednesday word came out that Florida State WR Tamorrion Terry is expected to undergo a knee procedure and be out a few weeks. Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong while Florida St QB Jordan Travis is feeling good. Miami TE Brevin Jordan was described as questionable. Texas Tech is off this weekend but announced that QB Henry Colombi will start Oct 24.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban also revealed he tested positive for COVID.
List of Injuries & Updates from October 14:
QBs:
- Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – did not practice
- Carson Baker, San Diego State – expected to be named starter
- Myles Brennan, LSU – still hasn’t practiced this week after getting banged up last weekend, described as doubtful but may try to practice Friday (game has now been postponed)
- Henry Colombi, Texas Tech – will start Oct 24th
- Chubba Purdy, Florida State – progressing well, getting extended work
- Donovan Smith, Texas Tech – out for season with shoulder surgery
- Jordan Travis, Florida State – practiced again today (hand), feels fully healthy
RBs:
- Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana – returned to action
- Chris Smith, Louisiana – played after dealing with ankle injury
- DeMarcus Townsend, Florida International – enters transfer portal
- Ronnie Walker, Virginia – waiver for eligibility approved
WRs & TEs:
- KeSean Carter, Texas Tech – dealing with elbow issue (not ankle as previously reported)
- Keke Chism, Missouri – reports he will be back for the Florida game (assuming it is played)
- Al’Dontre Davis, TCU – enters transfer portal
- Dontae Fleming, Louisiana – played Wednesday
- TE Brevin Jordan, Miami – questionable but has time to progress
- Peter LeBlanc, Louisiana – played after an undisclosed injury in his last game
- TE Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina – out Wed. night with a lower body injury
- McLane Mannix, Texas Tech – has been out with back problem
- Joseph Ngata, Clemson – has practiced every day, hopeful for Saturday
- Dalton Rigdon, Texas Tech – in concussion protocol after targeting hit last week
- Justyn Ross, Clemson – hopeful for a spring 2021 practice return
- JJ Sparkman, Texas Tech – out for season with shoulder surgery
- Tamorrion Terry, Florida State – expected to miss a couple weeks due to knee procedure
Fantasy Depth Charts for Oct 17 Games
Following are the fantasy-relevant starting depth charts released by the teams, along with any notes and last year’s stats, for FBS teams playing their FIRST games of the season October 17.
- Teams are in alphabetical order on the date they play.
- Starters on depth chart are listed, for full charts see posts on twitter
- Stats listed are from 2019
Saturday October 17:
UMass depth chart:
- QB: Mike Fallon (40-0) OR Josiah Johnson (TE last season) OR Will Koch
- RB: Ellis Merriweather
- WRs: Samuel Emilus (27/273), Jermaine Johnson (37/272), Javon Turner (1/3) OR Melvin Hill (7/39) OR Zamar Wise
- TE: Taylor Edwards (2/13)
(placeholder for Rice below, the only remaining team originally playing this fall that has yet to play a game.)
Saturday October 24:
Rice depth chart (PRECAMP depth chart):
- QB: Mike Collins (49-0 – TCU) has been named the starter
- RB: Juma Otoviano (114-0)
- FB: Brendan Suckley
- WRs: Austin Trammell (60/726), Bradley Rozner (55/770)
- TE: Jordan Myers (16/123)
CFB Injuries & Updates – Tues. October 13
On Tuesday Florida paused their football activities due to Covid testing. Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce is hopeful to return this week after having his knee scoped a few weeks ago while North Texas RB Oscar Adaway was described as questionable. Kansas State WR Joshua Youngblood entered the transfer portal after a disappointing start to his season. In QB news it sounds like Jordan McCloud has won the job at South Florida.
List of Injuries & Updates from October 13:
QBs:
- Christian Anderson, Army – will practice and be evaluated later this week
- Ben Bryant, Cincinnati – sounds like he has missed practice, unclear if will be available this week
- Rex Culpepper, Syracuse – starting QB on depth chart with Tommy DeVito out
- TJ Goodwin, UTEP – enters transfer portal after opting out
- Jemel Jones, Army – practicing and sounds like will be available if needed Saturday
- Jordan McCloud, South Florida – will start this week and going forward
- Jordan Travis, Florida State – reported that he practiced, but not clear to what extent (if hand issue limited him or not)
- Tevaka Tuioti, New Mexico – will start season opener
- UMass – Mike Fallon OR Josiah Johnson OR Will Koch on depth chart for season opener, Andrew Brito not listed
RBs:
- Oscar Adaway, North Texas – questionable this week
- James Cook, Georgia – practiced Tuesday, expects to play this week
- East Carolina – Chase Hayden not listed on RB 4-way OR, Demetrius Mauney reappears on list
- Shaun Shivers, Auburn – expected to practice today
WRs & TEs:
- Alante Brown, Nebraska – has been “nicked up”
- Zack Dobson, West Virginia – not ready for Saturdays after recently gaining eligibility, hopeful to get worked in rotation later this season
- CJ Hayes, Michigan State – appears to have had surgery today from posts from himself/father
- Omar Manning, Nebraska – hopeful for start of season
- Alec Pierce, Cincinnati – hopeful to return this week
- Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska – has been “nicked up” dealing with injuries recently
- Jyaire Shorter, North Texas – out this week
- Eli Stove, Auburn – expected to practice today
- Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State – enters transfer portal
Fantasy Takeaways from 12 different teams from Week 6
I take a look at some key stats & fantasy takeaways that stood out for 12 different teams last weekend and/or trends that are emerging over the course of the season. The “Stat to Know” from each team is bolded, as well as players who are mentioned.
Fantasy Takeaways from Week 6 (teams listed in alphabetical order):
Arkansas – QB Feleipe Franks passed for 22/30-318-4 against Auburn, while also running 15 times (for only 28 yards). 318 yards & 4 TDs were both career highs against FBS teams for Franks. In his previous two games he threw for 200 yards and 212 yards, so I’m not ready to hype Franks, but in an SEC that seems to be giving up a lot of passing yards this season he is on my radar.
Arkansas State – QBs Logan Bonner & Layne Hatcher have been sharing time, which essentially means I’d been ignoring them, but I wanted to take a closer look after Bonner went 11/19-233-3 this weekend against Central Arkansas, while Hatcher was 10/19-153-3. On the season Bonner is 58/91-741-8, while Hatcher is 41/70-564-6. They have both rushed for negative yards on the season. This is the first time I can recall in recent memory where there was a QB rotation between two QBs with similar skill sets, and neither seems to be separating, so essentially this is still a situation to avoid.
Auburn – Just a couple weeks ago I (and a beat writer) joked about avoiding the Auburn potential 4-5 man RB rotation on twitter, then a few injuries happened and RB Tank Bigsby entered the conversation. Bigsby ran for 20/146-0 against Arkansas and also had 4 receptions for 16 yards. Now I’m not convinced that when Shaun Shivers returns to health that Bigsby might not lose some of that volume (or receptions), but I do think there is a chance he may be emerging as RB1. This is a wait and see for me (FYI – I grabbed him in one of my own CFF leagues to put on the bench).
Boston College – Last season RB David Bailey looked great as the RB2 behind AJ Dillon as Bailey ran for 148/844-7. But this season Bailey has run for 48/148-1, a 3.1 average. He is 7/60-1 receiving on the season. Last week he rushed 15/36 for a 2.4 avg. Boston College is airing the ball out and they either can’t run the ball or aren’t committed to the run, but either way Bailey has been a huge disappointment so far.
Georgia – WR George Pickens came into the season as the likely name to know, but WR Kearis Jackson has been the standout so far. Jackson has 19 catches for 300 yards, while the next highest is Pickens with 8/87. Jackson has had at least 62 yards receiving in each of the first three games.
Kansas State – A stat I shared on twitter as well – the WR unit as a whole has 24 catches for 299 yards this season, while RB Deuce Vaughn has 9/279 (31.0 average!) and TE Briley Moore has 14/201. WR Chabastin Taylor has 10/169-1, but other than him WR Malik Knowles has been MIA, WR Wykeen Gill is out for the season with an injury & WR Joshua Youngblood announced his transfer Tuesday.
MTSU – While I’ve spent a lot of time on the QB ups and downs, in the meantime WR Jarrin Pierce has put up 36/366-1 over 5 games. Over the last four games he has averaged 8 catches for 83.25 yards a game. While in this offense no WRs may grab many TDs, he is emerging as the go-to receiving option.
North Texas – In his last 2 games as the clear starter QB Austin Aune has thrown for 28/47-339-2 and 23/43-382-3, and QB Jason Bean is no longer sharing time. While I wish the completion percentage was a touch higher, Aune has established himself as a fantasy starter, especially with the North Texas defense having given up 41+ points to every FBS opponent this season.
Temple – In their season-opener Temple was basically who they were last season, and that is overall a good thing. QB Anthony Russo threw for 21/30-206-1 and rushed for 2 TDs, RB Re’Mahn Davis ran for 23/97-1, and WR Branden Mack had 7/80-1 on 10 targets. Last year’s other top WR Jadan Blue was 5/40 on 7 targets. Blue’s output was a little disappointing, but Navy chewed a ton of clock in this game limiting the Temple offense.
Texas – With four games of data is any Texas RB worth your time? Here are season totals so far – Keaontay Ingram 35-188-0, 10/93-1 receiving – Roschon Johnson 32/142-2, 1/7-1 receiving, Bijan Robinson 14/67-0, 5/59-0 receiving. Johnson and Robinson have dealt with injuries early, so keep that in mind, but all are averaging between 4.4-5.4 yards per carry, while Ingram is complimenting the rushing with some receiving. What actually stands out to me is that QB Sam Ehlinger has rushed for 5 TDs on the season (4 last week) as compared to 2 rushing TDs for the RBs combined. Until any of these backs start getting goal line carries I don’t see their value.
Texas Tech – Let’s look at the WRs as sometimes on teams who pass a lot the situation can seem somewhat muddled – here are the top 5 on the season – KeSean Carter 21/215-4, Erik Ezukanma 21/295-3, TJ Vasher 14/163-2, Ja’lynn Polk 12/120-0, Dalton Rigdon 10/103-0. Carter was out last game with an ankle injury, while Rigdon has missed time as well. I love Vasher’s physical tools, but he was only targeted once last game, seems very high risk/reward right now. Polk was actually the 2nd most targeted last game with 5/54 on 6 targets. The only two I can really justify playing right now are Ezukanma and Carter (if/when) healthy.
Virginia Tech – Coming into the season it felt like Virginia Tech had a lot of names in the backfield, but RB Khalil Herbert has clearly distinguished himself, rushing for 43/449-5 on the season, a crazy 10.4 average. Fellow transfer RB Raheem Blackshear is a distant second with 29/108-1 on the season, a 3.7 average, with RB Jalen Holston next at 6/54-0.
CFB Injuries & Updates – Mon. October 12
Monday brought news that Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson is out for the season after having upper body surgery, and Virginia QB Brennan Armstrong is in concussion protocol. SMU WR Reggie Roberson and RB TJ McDaniel were also confirmed out for the season as feared. Texas A&M WR Caleb Chapman is also expected to be out for the season after getting injured at the end of his big day Saturday.
List of Injuries & Updates from October 12 (or from Sunday where noted):
QBs:
- Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – concussion protocol, day to day
- Myles Brennan, LSU – sore, will not practice Monday but will return Tuesday
- Colorado – Sam Noyer and Tyler Lytle splitting first team reps
- Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech – will start this weekend
- Miles Kendrick, Kansas – will start this week
- Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – back practicing and full-go
- Kenny Pickett, Pitt – is banged up and will be evaluated but sounds likely to play
- Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – out for the season after having had surgery for an upper-body injury
- Jordan Travis, Florida State – limited by hand injury in practice Sunday but trending positive
- UTSA – likely won’t announce starter before Saturday, Frank Harris OR Lowell Narcisse
RBs:
- Israel Abanikanda, Pitt – moved up to RB2 on depth chart
- Otis Anderson, UCF – expected to be available
- James Cook, Georgia – expected back this week
- Sione Finau, BYU – may be available this week or next
- Roschon Johnson, Texas – re-aggravated shoulder sprain
- Travis Levy, Boston College – didn’t play Saturday, set to practice Sunday, hopeful to play this week (Sunday)
- Vavae Malepeai, USC – knee looking good but dealing with tight hamstring
- Greg McCrae, UCF – expected to be available
- TJ McDaniel, SMU – will have surgery and is out for the season
- Elijah Mitchell, Louisiana – listed on depth chart this week after missing a game for covid-related reasons (Sunday)
- Marcel Murray, Arkansas State – expected to play Thursday
- Don Ragsdale, Southern Miss – expected to play this week
- Shaun Shivers, Auburn – hopeful to return this week (Sunday)
- Chris Smith, Louisiana – has been practicing after suffering ankle injury but sounds like he has been limited in what he can do (Sunday)
- Bentavious Thompson, UCF – expected to be available
- Sean Tucker, Syracuse – apparently injured last weekend, status unclear this week
WRs & TEs:
- Brenden Bates, Kentucky – out a few weeks with an injury
- Cjay Boone, Missouri – enters transfer portal
- Tommy Bush, Georgia – concussion after car crash
- Caleb Chapman, Texas A&M – out for the season after injury last weekend
- Lavel Davis, Virginia – now starting on depth chart over Ra’Shaun Henry
- Jaylen Dixon, Utah – enters transfer portal
- Dontae Fleming, Louisiana – listed as OR on depth chart after missing last game with a lower body injury, no specific clarity that he would return, was not listed in injured section on depth chart (Sunday)
- Noah Frith, Liberty – doubtful this week
- Hezekiah Jones, Texas A&M – day to day
- Tim Jones, Southern Miss – practiced Sunday, looked good, close to returning
- Tavares Kelly, Virginia – probable this week
- Peter LeBlanc, Louisiana – listed on depth chart after a possible injury (undisclosed) last game, was not listed in injured section on depth chart (Sunday)
- Jonah Morris, Akron – in the transfer portal, did not play in 2019
- Joseph Ngata, Clemson – hopeful to play this week (Sunday)
- TE Evidence Njoku, UCLA – eligibility request still pending for this season (Miami transfer)
- Reggie Roberson, SMU – will have surgery and is out for the season
- Gunner Romney, BYU – fine after briefly leaving the game last weekend
- Jake Smith, Texas – hamstring, expected back by the end of the week
- Eli Stove, Auburn – hopeful to return this week (Sunday)
Behind the Numbers – 16 Interesting Stats from Week 6 (Oct 10)
Some of these 16 stats from Week 6 are just for trivia, but most are good to know as you look at fantasy trends/leaders across the season or for specific positions or teams (if you enjoy this post please share it!).
Alabama QB Mac Jones threw for 418 yards on Saturday. He and Dillon Gabriel (UCF) are the only QBs with two 400+ yard passing games this season.
North Texas WR Jaelon Darden caught 13 passes for 244 yards and 3 TDs last weekend. 244 yards eclipsed Reggie Roberson’s (SMU) previous season high of 243. It was the fourth 200 yard receiving game this season.
Missouri QB Connor Bazelak was the first QB to have 400 passing yards, 4 TD passes, 85% completion rate, and 0 interceptions in a game since 2017 (Max Browne, Pitt).
Houston held Tulane to 70 rushing yards, snapping Tulane’s streak of 56 consecutive games with at least rushing 100 yards (credit – Joseph Duarte)
RB Michael Carter (UNC) rushed for 17/214-2, while Najee Harris (Alabama) ran for 23/206-5 last weekend. There have only been 5 200+ yard rushing games this season, and those totals were 2nd & 5th on the list. Carter had the fewest carries of any back with 200 yards, only needing 17 attempts. Ulysses Bentley, SMU, has the season high with 227 yards.
Only 3 times this season has a QB passed for 200 yards and rushed for 100 yards in a game and 2 were in Week 6 – Sam Ehlinger, Texas, 287-112, and Asher O’Hara, MTSU, 268-106. The only other this year was Frank Harris, UTSA.
Iowa St RB Breece Hall ran for 27/135-2 last weekend. He now leads the nation in 100 yard rushing games this season with 4. Next with three 100 yards games are Spencer Brown (UAB), Khalil Herbert (Virginia Tech), & Joshua Mack (Liberty).
4 players have had three 100 yard receiving games this season – Jacob Cowing (UTEP), Jaylon Robinson (UCF), Gunner Romney (BYU), & Jaylen Waddle (Alabama).
Mississippi State RB Kylin Hill had 15 receptions for 79 yards last weekend. The last time a player had 15+ receptions and less than 79 yards was 2002. It was only the third time since the year 2000 that a player had less than 100 yards receiving when having 15 catches or more.
RB Najee Harris (Alabama) had 5 rushing TDs last weekend, while QB Sam Ehlinger (Texas) ran for 4 TDs. Harris’ TD total was a season-high, beating App State RB Daetrich Harrington’s 4. Only three times in 2019 did a player rush for 5+ TDs, with Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson’s 6 in a game the high.
Duke RB Deon Jackson had 30 rushing attempts for 169 yards on Saturday. It was only the 3rd time this season a player had 30 rushing attempts, and the first time a player with 30 didn’t rush for a TD.
South Florida QB Jordan McCloud passed for 298 yards but 0 TDs last weekend. That was the third highest passing yard total without a TD this season – the only two higher were Jack Abraham, Southern Miss (314) and Gavin Hardison, UTEP (302)
Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore leads the nation averaging 154.0 receiving yards per game. Terrace Marshall (LSU) is 2nd with 141.3. For reference in 2019 Omar Bayless (Arkansas State) led the nation averaging 127.2
Does it seem like the SEC has had a lot of high-scoring games so far? 5 of the top 6 passing yards per game leaders are from the SEC, only UCF QB Dillon Gabriel #2 breaks into the top 6 from other conferences.
Amongst tight ends, Memphis’ Sean Dykes leads the nation averaging 8 receptions per game. Boston College’s Hunter Long is close behind with 7.8.
One more tight end stat – in 2019 TEs Kylen Granson (SMU) and Josh Pederson (Louisiana-Monroe) led the nation for TEs with 9 TDs. Florida TE Kyle Pitts already has 7 TDs in 2020 through only 3 games. Amongst all receivers North Texas WR Jaelon Darden leads the nation with 9 TD catches.
