Category: College Football

I break down the injury news from this past weekend with notes on each player who may have been dealing with injuries.

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. 10 (alphabetical by last name):

• QB Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – left the game in the first half after taking a hit that was ruled to be targeting, did not return. There was no postgame update when asked.
• RB Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – did not travel to the game after injury last weekend
• QB Chase Brice, Duke – he took a big hit then missed some time (I believe there was erroneous reporting he was being benched), but returned to action.
• WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas – dressed but did not play, no updates
• RB Mulbah Car, Houston – reported to have a sprained ankle, but is expected to be ok (Thursday)
• WR KeSean Carter, Texas Tech – was announced in pregame to be out in what was later shared to be an ankle injury
• WR Caleb Chapman, Texas A&M – had a huge game, but had an apparent lower body injury near the end of the game, team did not have a postgame update but Chapman posted Sunday afternoon “without the lows the highs mean nothing” and there is some buzz that it may be serious
• RB James Cook, Georgia – after suffering an arm injury last game he appeared limited in warmups and did not play
• QB Tommy DeVito, Syracuse – left the game with an injury, came back out to the field on crutches with a boot, a postgame quote from the coach said things didn’t look good, and later reporter sources were saying he was believed to be out for the season
• QB Max Duggan, TCU – went to the locker room midgame but returned to action
• TE Arik Gilbert, LSU – appeared to have missed some time in the second half with a possible shoulder issue but returned in the 4th quarter
• QB Frank Harris, UTSA – after being a gametime decision got the start, but had another apparent leg injury in the first half and did not return as he was replaced by Lowell Narcisse. Injury didn’t appear serious but some coach quotes basically made it sound like he is acknowledged to be injury-prone and they don’t want to play him at less than 100%.
• RB Roschon Johnson, Texas – came out for the second half not in pads, and in postgame was revealed to have re-aggravated a shoulder injury
• QB Jemel Jones, Army – started in place of an injured Christian Anderson, but appeared to suffer an injury in the 4th quarter and was replaced
• TE Brevin Jordan, Miami – missed time late in the game with a shoulder injury and went to the locker room. In postgame he was interviewed and said he felt fine and expected to play next week.
• RB Jawhar Jordan, Syracuse – was revealed in pregame to be out and then in postgame it was said he would be out for a while
• RB Joshua Mack, Liberty – not an injury, but in postgame it was shared that he had gotten limited time it what sounded like a disciplinary measure but should be good going forward
• RB Seth McGowan, Oklahoma – he personally tweeted out a broken heart emoji on Friday night after there had been some unconfirmed chatter about his availability, then on Saturday morning it was confirmed that he would be out due to concussion protocol
• WR Tarique Milton, Iowa State – did not play as he was seen in pregame with his arm in a sling
• WR Joseph Ngata, Clemson – warmed up but seen during the game without his helmet. The sentiment here with his abdominal strain seems to be that the team doesn’t want to play him at less than 100% (similar to a hamstring injury)
• QB Kenny Pickett, Pitt – left the game limping, went to the medical tent and missed some time (replaced by Joey Yellen), returned to finish the game
• TE Kyle Pitts, Florida – there was a mid-game report that he was dealing with a left foot injury
• QB Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma – left the game, had his arm briefly looked at but was essentially benched for a while before returning to action.
• WR Jake Smith, Texas – a few minutes after the game started there was word that he might not play, then the team said he was available mid-game, then in post-game it was revealed he had aggravated a hamstring injury in pre-game
• QB Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – did not travel to game after injury last weekend, the team said they’d likely have further updates on Monday (I had previously had a note that perhaps he didn’t travel to let him heal, that was clearly incorrect as on Monday he was shared to be out for the season having had surgery)
• QB Jordan Travis, Florida State – it was shared in postgame that he was having a hand issue and was struggling to grip the ball and would get the hand looked at, he was interviewed postgame and said his hand was fine

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 10:

QBs: Alan Bowman (Texas Tech) started after getting injured last week, but Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) did not travel as Will Howard got the start. Brady McBride (Texas State) started, but Tyler Vitt returned and was rotated in. Frank Harris (UTSA) started but was banged up again.

• Christian Anderson, Army – did not play
• Hank Bachmeier, Boise State – taking first team practice reps
• James Blackman, Florida State – played
• Alan Bowman, Texas Tech – started
• Mike Collins, Rice – named starting QB
• Chase Cord, Boise State – limited by injuries right now
• Malik Cunningham, Louisville – played after hard hit took him out in previous game (Friday)
• Frank Harris, UTSA – returned, started
• Hendon Hooker, Virginia Tech – season debut
• Emory Jones, Florida – didn’t travel
• Katravis Marsh, South Florida – unavailable
• Jordan McCloud, South Florida – started
• Brady McBride, Texas State – started
• Dalen Morris, Navy – started
• Will Rogers, Miss State – dressed
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – did not travel
• Tyler Vitt, Texas State – played

RBs: SEC had a lot of the focus here as Rakeem Boyd (Arkansas), James Cook (Georgia) & Shaun Shivers (Auburn) did not play. But Kylin Hill (Miss State) & Chris Curry (LSU) were in action.

• Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – did not travel
• Keyon Brooks, Vanderbilt – played
• James Cook, Georgia – limited in warmups, did not play
• Chris Curry, LSU – played
• AJ Davis, Pitt – warmed up, did not play
• Emari Demercado, TCU – out
• Darrian Felix, South Florida – played
• Kylin Hill, Miss State – warmed up
• Roschon Johnson, Texas – played, re-injured
• Jawhar Jordan, Syracuse – unavailable, is injured
• Keshawn King, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• Johnnie Lang, Iowa State – not dressed
• Travis Levy, Boston College – out
• Ja’Veon Marlow, Vanderbilt – unavailable
• Sandon McCoy, Army – out
• Bijan Robinson, Texas – played
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – not available
• A’Montae Spivey, Arkansas – season debut
• Terius Wheatley, Virginia Tech – unavailable

WRs & TEs: In receiver news Jordan Whittington (Texas), Jordan Addison (Pitt) & Seth Williams (Auburn) were back in action Saturday, while Jake Smith (Texas), Treylon Burks (Arkansas), KeSean Carter (Texas Tech), & Damon Hazelton (Missouri) were among those who did not play.

• Jordan Addison, Pitt – played
• Isaiah Alston, Army – out
• Jackson Anthrop, Purdue – shoulder surgery, could return this season
• Rico Arnold, Charlotte – played
• Kevin Austin, Notre Dame – season debut
• Devin Boddie, Vanderbilt – unavailable
• Treylon Burks, Arkansas – dressed, did not play
• Craig Burt, Western Kentucky – returned to action
• KeSean Carter, Texas Tech – out
• Keke Chism, Missouri – out, contact tracing
• Joshua Crabtree, NC State – inactive
• TE Dylan Deveney, Georgia Tech – returned to action (Friday)
• Sione Finau, BYU – still out, getting close to return
• Dominic Gicinto, Missouri – out, contact tracing
• Damon Hazelton, Missouri – out, contact tracing
• Lawrence Keys, Notre Dame – played
• Jaylin Lane, MTSU – returned to action
• TE Dylan Leonard, Georgia Tech – returned to action (Friday)
• McLane Mannix, Texas Tech – not in warmups
• TE Tre McKitty, Georgia – played
• TE Devin Miller, Marshall – did not travel
• Tarique Milton, Iowa State – not dressed out
• Joshua Moore, Texas – played
• Joseph Ngata, Clemson – dressed, did not play
• Obi Obialo, Oklahoma – not warming up
• Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – not dressed
• TE Dylan Parham, NC State – unavailable
• Jasiah Provillon, NC State – inactive
• Dalton Rigdon, Texas Tech – returns
• Brad Rozner, Rice – opts out of season
• Stone Scarcelle, Marshall – did not travel
• Darryle Simmons, Virginia Tech – unavailable
• Emery Simmons, North Carolina – unavailable
• Ben Skowronek, Notre Dame – did not play
• Jake Smith, Texas – aggravated hamstring in pregame
• Eli Stove, Auburn – not available
• Jared Wayne, Pitt – returned to action
• Jordan Whittington, Texas – returned to action
• Ethon Williams, Boston College – unavailable
• Seth Williams, Auburn – played
• TE Brayden Willis, Oklahoma – out again
• TE Kyi Wright, Pitt – warmed up

(continually updated)

On Thursday we learned Kansas head coach Les Miles tested positive for coronavirus. QBs Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) and Christian Anderson (Army) are questionable for the weekend. UCF WR Marlon Williams is expected to be ready to go next week (after the bye this weekend).

On Friday the Pac-12 started practice and a number of updates came through including a handful of USC injury updates as well as that Arizona RB Bam Smith has opted out of the season.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 8-9:

QBs:

• Christian Anderson, Army – improving but unsure if will be able to play Saturday
• David Moore, Central Michigan – suspension from last year expired October 7, likely starter
• Spencer Petras, Iowa – QB1 on preseason depth chart
• Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State – full speed in practice
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas St – described as day to day, depends how he feels on gameday

RBs:

• Antwuan Branch, North Carolina – transfer portal as grad transfer, last played 2018
• Josh Crawford, Central Michigan – opted out
• La’Darius Jefferson, Western Michigan – waiver request pending for Michigan State transfer
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – may be a gametime decision Saturday
• Bam Smith, Arizona – opts out of season
• Deion Smith, Colorado – likely out for the season with a knee injury
• Markese Stepp, USC – ankle, looks healthy

WRs & TEs:

• Jordan Addison, Pitt – lumped into a group of players injured last week as all were described as gametime decisions
• Craig Burt, Western Kentucky – expected to play Saturday, could possibly be on a play count/limited
• TE Dylan Deveney, Georgia Tech – expected to be available even though not on Above the Line chart
• Kyle Ford, USC – ACL, out season
• TE D.J. Johnson, Oregon – converted defender has been limited in practice
• Jalen Johnson, Arizona – suspended for violating team Covid protocols
• Jordan Kerley, Arizona State – opting out of season
• TE Jacob Kizer, Washington – opt out of season
• TE Dylan Leonard, Georgia Tech – expected to be available even though not on Above the Line chart
• Munir McClain, USC – currently suspended from the team
• Bru McCoy, USC – hamstring, full-speed
• TE Jared Poplawski, Colorado – knee injury but nearing a return to action
• TE Ethan Rae, USC – knee, out
• Wan’Dale Robinson, Nebraska – will focus on playing WR this season and not play RB
• TE Khameron Taylor, Indiana – South Alabama transfer is dealing with undisclosed injury issues
• Marlon Williams, UCF – expected to be ready to go next week
• Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State – expected to play Saturday

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 8-10.

• 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

Thursday October 8:

Houston depth chart:

• QB: Clayton Tune (1533-11)
• RB: Kyle Porter (615-3) OR Mulbah Car (375-3)
• WRs: Jeremy Singleton (26/381), Keith Corbin (11/192), Marquez Stevenson (52/907), Nathaniel Dell OR Tre’von Bradley (16/326)
• TE: Christian Trahan (22/244)

Saturday October 10:

Temple depth chart:

• QB: Anthony Russo (2861-21)
• RB: Re’Mahn Davis (936-8)
• WRs: Branden Mack (59/904), Randle Jones (1/32), Jadan Blue (95/1067)
• TE: David Martin-Robinson (5/64)

(Placeholders for UMass & Rice below)

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)

Saturday October 24:

Rice depth chart (PRECAMP depth chart):

• QB: Mike Collins (49-0 – TCU) OR JoVoni Johnson (97-1)
• RB: Juma Otoviano (114-0)
• FB: Brendan Suckley
• WRs: Austin Trammell (60/726), Bradley Rozner (55/770)
• TE: Jordan Myers (16/123)

On Wednesday Auburn RB Shaun Shivers & WR Eli Stove were described as questionable, while Arkansas RB Rakeem Boyd & WR Treylon Burks are hopeful to play. Earlier in the week also came news that Florida WR Jordan Pouncey received a waiver for eligibility after his transfer from Texas.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 7:

QBs:

• Kennique Bonner-Steward, Temple – enters transfer portal, had opted out
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas – may take a while to return, but expected back sometime this season
• James Graham, Georgia Tech – not listed on “Above the Line” chart
• Oregon – QB1 starting fall camp is Tyler Shough, Anthony Brown is #2

RBs:

• Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – hopeful to play this weekend
• Deshawn Collins, Cal – not listed on roster
• James Cook, Georgia – wearing a non-contact jersey in practice, may be a gametime decision
• Emari Demercado, TCU – questionable this weekend
• Travis Levy, Boston College – back at practice after leaving the game last weekend
• Lorenzo Lingard, Florida – got banged up in fall camp, is catching up and learning the system
• Jordan Mason, Georgia Tech – not listed on “Above the Line” chart
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – described as questionable
• Taequan Tyler, Boise State – juco transfer out for season with Achilles injury

WRs & TEs:

• Ahmarean Brown, Georgia Tech – listed on Above the Line after possible injury before the bye week
• Treylon Burks, Arkansas – hopeful to play this weekend
• TE Dylan Deveney, Georgia Tech – not listed on Above the Line
• John Dunmore, Penn State – withdraws from school
• Jeremiah Hawkins, Cal – not listed on roster
• TE Dylan Leonard, Georgia Tech – not listed on Above the Line
• TE Jackson Marcotte, Wyoming – full speed after injury last season
• Jordan Pouncey, Florida – gets waiver for eligibility
• Eli Stove, Auburn – described as questionable

For those of you who play College Fantasy Football, these are players who may be “free agents” in your league as the waiver wire claim period has likely already passed. Many other sources already offer waiver wire recommendations, so this is geared a little differently in case you missed out on waivers.

I’m not claiming these guys are going to be stars (but they may be!), but if you are in need at a position I consider them players whose potential value exceeds their Fantrax rostered % (potentially a similar principle for DFS as well).

• For right now this only includes the 6 leagues currently playing
• I strive to only list healthy players who have a game this week, but if not that is noted
• Every player listed this week is under 47% rostered as of mid-day Wednesday
• Stats after names are yards unless otherwise noted

QB Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 47% – Malik Willis, Liberty – 418 passing, 253 rushing
• 45% – Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech – 695 passing, 185 rushing
• 44% – Phil Jurkovec, Boston College – 823 passing
• 28% – Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – 539 passing
• 19% – Terry Wilson, Kentucky – 390 passing, 171 rushing
• 13% – Devin Leary, NC State – 501 passing
• 10% – Austin Aune, North Texas – 726 passing
• 6% – Collin Hill, South Carolina – 502 passing
• 4% – Stetson Bennett, Georgia – 451 passing
• 3% – Jordan Travis, Florida State – 222 passing, 139 rushing

RB Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 40% – Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech – 312 yards
• 34% – Joshua Mack, Liberty – 337
• 31% – Tyler Allgeier, BYU – 275
• 30% – D’Vonte Price, Florida Intl – 148
• 15% – Sean Tucker, Syracuse – 135
• 15% – Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky – 146
• 14% – Frank Gore, Southern Miss – 208 (130 last week)
• 1% – Stephon Huderson, Tulane – 149

WR Free Agents to Know (Fantrax rostered %):

• 47% – Gunner Romney, BYU – 373 yards
• 36% – Zay Flowers, Boston College – 243
• 35% – Jacob Cowing, UTEP – 377
• 22% – Jason Brownlee, Southern Miss – 301
• 18% – Justin Garrett, UTEP – 287
• 14% – Kearis Jackson, Georgia – 209
• 14% – Taye Barber, TCU – 133
• 14% – DJ Turner, Pitt – 319 (186 last week)
• 12% – Dax Milne, BYU – 264
• 11% – Jarrin Pierce, MTSU – 286
• 3% – Josh Ali, Kentucky – 186

In Tuesday news QB Connor Bazelak was named Missouri’s starter, North Texas RB Oscar Adaway is expected to be out again this week, while Auburn said they were hopeful to get all of their injured players back this week. New Mexico QB Brandt Hughes was also announced to be out for the season with a shoulder injury.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 6:

QBs:

• Josh Adkins, UTSA – will be out 4-6 weeks after surgery for collarbone injury
• Christian Anderson, Army – status will be determined at the of the week whether can play on Saturday
• Austin Aune, North Texas – QB1 on depth chart, no more OR with Jason Bean
• Connor Bazelak, Missouri – will start this week
• Jack Coan, Wisconsin – out indefinitely after successful foot surgery
• Frank Harris, UTSA – looked good taking most first team reps in practice, described as a gametime decision
• Will Heckman, Washington State – QB juco transfer is listed as a DB on the roster
• Brandt Hughes, New Mexico – out for the season with a right shoulder injury
• Jabari Laws, Army – still not ready to play (has been out all season)
• Paul Piferi, Purdue – moves from QB to TE
• Chubba Purdy, Florida State – “getting close” to a full return as he continues to make progress
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – didn’t practice Monday, hopeful for today/Wednesday
• Tyler Vitt, Texas State – back at practice after missing time in covid-protocol – both he and Brady McBride expected to play this week
• Aidan Willard, Oregon State – medically retires

RBs:

• Oscar Adaway, North Texas – not on depth chart, reported to be out again this week (undisclosed)
• Keyon Brooks, Vanderbilt – good chance to return this week
• Marcus Crowley, Ohio State – minor setback in recovery from torn ACL, unclear timeline to play
• Harold Joiner, Auburn – enters transfer portal
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week
• Morian Walker, Nevada – grad transfers to Nevada from Utah State

WRs & TEs:

• Elijhah Badger, Arizona State – academically ineligible this season
• Devin Boddie, Vanderbilt – good chance to play this week
• James Bostic, Vanderbilt – good chance to play this week
• Zack Dobson, West Virginia – receives waiver to play after transfer from MTSU
• Jsi Hatfield, East Carolina – did not play last weekend, not on depth chart this week
• TE Tre McKitty, Georgia – is practicing, hopeful to play Saturday
• Jyaire Shorter, North Texas – confirmed to be out this week
• Eli Stove, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week
• Seth Williams, Auburn – mentioned in a blanket statement as hopeful this week

I take a look at some key stats & fantasy takeaways that stood out for 12 different teams last weekend. The “Stat to Know” from each team is bolded, as well as players who are mentioned.

Week 5 Passing Leaders (yards):

• 474 – Shane Buechele, SMU
• 435 – Mac Jones, Alabama
• 411 – Kenny Pickett, Pitt
• 339 – Austin Aune, North Texas
• 337 – Myles Brennan, LSU

Week 5 Rushing Leaders (yards):

• 208 – Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech
• 196 – JD King, Georgia Southern
• 150 – Sincere McCormick, UTSA
• 145 – Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
• 144 – Spencer Brown, UAB

Week 5 Receiving Leaders (yards):

• 243 – Reggie Roberson, SMU
• 186 – DJ Turner, Pitt
• 181 – John Metchie, Alabama
• 148 – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
• 147 – Kearis Jackson, Georgia

Fantasy Takeaways from Week 5 (teams listed in alphabetical order):

Alabama – I’ll admit, I came into this season thinking of QB Mac Jones as perhaps more of a game manager than a gunslinger, but he passed for 20/27, 435 yards & 4 TDS last Saturday. He is completing 74.5% of his passes this season. Going back to 2010, Alabama has only had five 400+ yard passing games, and 3 of those were by QB Tua Tagovailoa in 2019.

East Carolina – after two games 4 different players have between 16-19 rushing attempts (3 RBs & QB Holton Ahlers) with the leading rusher actually being RB Keaton Mitchell who has 66 yards on only 9 attempts. Stay away from ECU RBs unless a leader emerges.

Florida State – RB Lawrance Toafili rushed for 12/99 and 1 TD this week. On the season he is now the team’s leading rusher (163 yards) while averaging 8.2 yards a carry and also has 4 catches for 47 yards. Yes the opponent this week was Jacksonville State, but he was also the leading rusher against Miami last week (8/64) when La’Damian Webb was out.

Georgia State – RB Destin Coates rushed for 23/113-2 last weekend, and over 2 games is 57/263-3. The RB with the 2nd most attempts has 10. Coates is as much a featured back as any team has in the nation right now.

Kentucky – As you may have seen in the “Interesting Stats” post, Kentucky rushed for 400 yards yet lost the game this week. RB Kavosiey Smoke left the game with a rib injury and will be out a few weeks, so I think RB Chris Rodriguez’ (17/133-2 last week) stock is only improving.

MTSU – QB Asher O’Hara is back after a terrible start to the season. This week he threw for 217 yards and 1 TD, and rushed for 25/98 and 1 TD. The next leading rusher for MTSU had 6 carries for 10 yards. I was concerned he had no rushing game to support him the first two games of the year, but that clearly didn’t matter last weekend.

Mississippi State – Let’s look at the WRs now that we have 2 games of data – as a longtime fan of Mike Leach offenses I am also distinctly aware that often different WRs pop up from week to week. Of the 43 completed passes this week, 19 went to RBs. Among WRs only Osirus Mitchell (5/61) & Jaden Walley (6/56) had decent statlines, with WR JaVonta Payton getting the only TD (2/23-1). As a point of reference, Washington State had only one 1000 yard receiver in 2019, and none from 2016-18. I’m not saying a WR won’t break out, perhaps Mitchell, but I am saying history usually doesn’t support one true dominant WR.

North Texas – I mentioned this in the Interesting Stats from Week 5 post as well, but WR Jaelon Darden had 13/104-1 on a huge 20 targets last week. With WR Jyaire Shorter getting injured last week (he is out this week) that may help maintain Darden’s volume.

Ole Miss – QB Matt Corral not only threw for over 300 yards again this week (320 with 4 TDs), he also rushed 13 times for 51 yards. After two games, Corral is tied with RB Jerrion Ealy for the team lead in carries with 26. That stat has me high on Corral but also wary of any RBs right now.

South Carolina – When RB Marshawn Lloyd went down coaches said to expect RB by committee. In the season-opener carries were split, but this week RB Kevin Harris had 22/100-1 while also catching 4/27-1. RB Deshaun Fenwick was next this week with 6/32. On the season Harris has out-gained Fenwick 155-63. Looks like Harris may be establishing himself as RB1 with Fenwick as a nice change of pace back who has 9 catches for 69 yards.

Tulsa – How is Tulsa doing replacing the injured RB Shamari Brooks? This week RB TK Wilkerson rushed for 22/86-1, while RB Corey Taylor went for 11/60. In Tulsa’s first game Taylor was very limited as he was just coming out of covid-quarantine. The opening game leader RB Deneric Prince, was 8/41 this week. I might take a flyer on Wilkerson if you need a RB.

Virginia – QB Brennan Armstrong was 24/43-270-3 against Clemson. But what really stood out to me was that he rushed 22 times for 89 yards. The next leading rusher was RB Wayne Taulapapa with 13/47. Armstrong has more rushing attempts than any other Cavalier over 2 games plus is averaging 44 passes a game. I like that volume.

Tons of injury updates on Monday – in some of the biggest news QB Alan Bowman (Texas Tech) is day to day, QB Skylar Thompson (Kansas State) sounds questionable this week but nothing severe, RB Kylin Hill (Miss State) sounds hopeful to play, while SMU’s RB TJ McDaniel and WR Reggie Roberson didn’t have detailed updates but were said to both potentially be long term injuries.

In coach news Arizona’s Kevin Sumlin has tested positive for coronavirus.

List of Injuries & Updates from October 5:

QBs:

• Josh Adkins, UTSA – confirmed to have a broken collarbone
• James Blackman, Florida State – described as “banged up” on the tv broadcast of the game Saturday (heard on re-watch)
• Alan Bowman, Texas Tech – no broken bones, described as day to day
• Brendon Clark, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Jack Coan, Wisconsin – foot injury in practice Saturday, reported to need foot surgery and will miss start of season (Sunday)
• Malik Cunningham, Louisville – no limitations going into Friday’s game
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas – left Saturday’s game with an injury, expected to be back Oct 17 (after the bye week)
• Frank Harris, UTSA – says he feels 100%, will be evaluated in practice this week
• Devin Leary, NC State – QB1 on depth chart, no more OR
• Thomas MacVittie, Kansas – expected to be back Oct 17 (after the bye week)
• Graham Mertz, Wisconsin – taking first team snaps after Jack Coan injury
• Dalen Morris, Navy – will start this week, is ready to go
• Will Rogers, Mississippi State – expected to be available this week
• Skylar Thompson, Kansas State – no broken bones was the only , has a chance to play this Saturday
• Jordan Travis, Florida State – will start this week
• Malik Willis, Liberty – ready to play this Saturday, will wear a brace on left arm

RBs:

• Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas – expected to practice Monday after foot injury last weekend
• James Charles, FAU – questionable after injury last weekend
• James Cook, Georgia – day to day after injury last weekend
• Chris Curry, LSU – will be available to play this week, missed last game with an injury (some reports had said illness)
• Emari Demercado, TCU – left game on Saturday with and went to locker room with an illness (saw this re-watching the broadcast)
• BJ Emmons, FAU – questionable after injury last weekend
• Anthony Grant – former Florida State RB transferring to Garden City Community College
• Peter Hayes, Akron – enters transfer portal
• Kylin Hill, Mississippi State – expected to be available this week
• Roschon Johnson, Texas – shoulder, should be available early in the week
• Khalan Laborn – transferring from Florida State to Garden City CC
• TJ McDaniel, SMU – injury details not confirmed, but has the potential to be long term
• Shaun Shivers, Auburn – was ruled out in pregame Saturday, expected to be ready to play by next weekend (Sunday)
• Jahmir Smith, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Kavosiey Smoke, Kentucky – out a few weeks with a rib injury suffered Saturday
• DJ Williams, Auburn – was limited in practice last week leading to reduced role last weekend (Sunday)

WRs & TEs:

• Rico Arnold, Charlotte – left game Saturday with back injury, will get MRI (Sunday)
• Kevin Austin, Notre Dame – should return for around 15-20 plays this weekend as he works his way back
• Treylon Burks, Arkansas – expected to practice Monday after knee injury last weekend
• Demetrius Douglas, Minnesota – stepping away from program, ending career
• Wykeen Gill, Kansas State – out for the season
• Jace James, Northwestern – medically retires from football
• Lawrence Keys, Notre Dame – on depth chart, expected to be available
• Joshua Moore, Texas – expected to be available (Knee)
• Bryce Oliver, Kentucky – should be able to play this week
• Reggie Roberson, SMU – injury details not confirmed, but has the potential to be long term
• TE Hank Tuipulotu, BYU – will rejoin the team soon after back to back ACL injuries
• RJ Sneed, Baylor – likely won’t practice this week (team is off this weekend)
• Jordan Whittington, Texas – practiced Sunday, expected to be available to play
• Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State – should be back soon after unavailable last weekend

Some of these 16 stats from Week 5 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!).

UTSA RB Sincere McCormick rushed for 22/150-1 this week, and is the only player in the nation two have 2 150+ yard rushing games this season.

While teams have played different totals of games, it is still impressive that UCF has 2 of the top 5 FBS receiving yardage leaders in the nation – #2 Marlon Williams (388 yards) & #5 Jaylon Robinson (366 yards).

North Texas WR Jaelon Darden was targeted an amazing 20 times as he had 13 catches for 104 yards last weekend (13 receptions tied Marlon Williams (UCF) as a season-high). Boston College also had an impressively targeted-duo – TE Hunter Long (16 targets, 9/96) & WR Zay Flowers (14 targets, 8/61). For those who may recall, I raved about Long last week as well.

Last week I shared a concerning stat about Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard having the two worst 20 rush attempt performances of his career. Well playing against Kansas cures many a cold streak as he rushed for 20/145 and 2 TDs. The 7.3 yards per carry last weekend was the 5th best of his career when he gets 20+ attempts.

BYU QB Zach Wilson has thrown the ball 71 times this season with only 11 incompletions, a wild 84.5% completion rate. 2nd in completion % is Matt Corral, Ole Miss (76.7%), and 3rd is Mac Jones, Alabama (74.5%). As a reference point, LSU QB Joe Burrow led the nation last season (76.3%).

SMU WR Reggie Roberson caught 5 balls for 243 yards and 2 TDs last weekend, which was the highest yardage total of the season. Two other receivers topped 180 yards this week – DJ Turner, Pitt (8/186), John Metchie, Alabama (5/181), the 3rd and 6th highest totals of the season.

8 non-option QBs led their teams in rushing in week 5 – Asher O’Hara, MTSU (98), Nick Tronti, FAU (94), Brennan Armstrong, UVA (89), Max Duggan, TCU (79), Tyrrell Pigrome, WKU (55), Matt Corral, Ole Miss (51), Colby Suits, ULM (51), & Kenny Pickett, Pitt (40).

Texas A&M RB Ainias Smith, a converted WR, had 29 rushing yards & 123 receiving yards last weekend. Only 3 players have 75+ rushing yards and 150 receiving yards total this season – Smith (80/150), Travis Etienne, Clemson (243/172) & Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State (205/234).

5 QBs are averaging 40+ pass attempts a game this season – KJ Costello, Miss St (59.5), Dillon Gabriel, UCF (46.3), Brennan Armstrong, Virginia (44.0), Collin Hill, South Carolina (43.0), Myles Brennan, LSU (41.5)

Virginia Tech RB Khalil Herbert rushed for 208 yards on 20 carries on Saturday, the highest rushing total of the weekend, and 3rd highest total this season. JD King of Georgia Southern rushed for 21/196, 5th highest total this year.

Only 3 players have 2 10+ reception games this season – Shi Smith, South Carolina, Elijah Moore, Ole Miss, and Marlon Williams, UCF.

SMU QB Shane Buechele passed for 474 yards in week 5, the 2nd highest total so far this season. Alabama QB Mac Jones’ 435 yards was the 3rd highest total this year.

Kentucky is the first team to rush for 400 yards in a game this fall and lose, only happened three times in 2019 – Georgia State, Army, Ole Miss

Mississippi State QB KJ Costello completed 43 passes last weekend, highest for the school going back to 2000. The next highest total is Dak Prescott who had 38 in a 2015 game. Costello’s previous game total of 36 is 3rd.

Amongst players with at least 10 receptions this season, BYU WR Gunner Romney leads the nation averaging 23.3 yards per catch. 2nd is Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama (21.8) and 3rd is Reggie Roberson, SMU (21.5)

A bonus Boston College TE Hunter Long stat – only 7 receivers have 3 75+ yard receiving games this season, he is the only TE on the list.