In the first four weeks of the season, the Virginia Tech football team has faced a growing number of injuries. With each passing week, it seems another player gets sidelined on both offense and defense.
On Monday, head coach Brent Pry addressed the media a day earlier than usual due to the Hokies’ short week, as they prepare to play at Miami on Friday night. As is customary, the third-year head coach covered several topics, including injuries, and there were some significant updates, though the news is mixed.
On the defensive front, linebacker Keli Lawson is listed as “day-to-day” and will be limited this week after participating in only four snaps against Rutgers. The Hokies’ linebackers have performed well this season, but losing Lawson for an extended period would be a considerable setback. Another linebacker, Jayden McDonald, is considered a “long shot” to play against the Hurricanes, which would further exacerbate the team’s issues.
The injury updates worsened on Tuesday, with defensive tackle Kemari Copeland deemed “unlikely to play” according to Pry, and left guard Layth Ghannam also set to miss the game. These injuries add to the struggles of an already depleted offensive line, which has faced challenges since the opening game against Vanderbilt.
Copeland’s absence will increase pressure on the remaining tackles and complicate efforts to defend against Miami’s quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez. The Hurricanes have been highly productive offensively in the first month of the season, relying heavily on their ground game, making Copeland’s loss particularly impactful.
On offense, Ghannam joins a list of injured players, including Jennings, Drones, and Tuten, which poses a significant challenge as they head into the matchup against Miami. Following this game, the Hokies will travel to Stanford before enjoying a much-needed bye week to recuperate some key players.
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