College Football Report - Injury Watch - Week 8

Tis the season for injuries. More than any week thus far, week seven seemed to offer up injuries to key players more than any yet. The following is the status of the top players battling injuries in college football.

Alabama:

DJ Fluker – RT – Groin – Questionable:

Fluker has been battling a groin injury this season. The red-shirt freshman sat out the Ole Miss game and is listed as questionable against Tennessee.

Julio Jones – WR – Hand – Probable:

Jones continues to struggle with the broken hand from the South Carolina game. He is listed as probable against the Vols.

Arizona:

Nick Foles – QB – Knee – Out:

Foles injured his knee against Washington State, but the injury isn’t as bad as first expected. The junior was having a stellar season thus far and is expected to miss the Washington game this week and a perhaps a couple weeks following.

Arkansas:

Ryan Mallett – QB – Head – Probable:

Mallett was discharged from the Auburn game with a concussion. He is slated as probable against Ole Miss this week as he returned to practice Tuesday.

Florida:

Florida Gators – Offense – Image – Questionable:

The Gators offense is going through a bit of a rough patch, if that’s what you would call a three game losing streak to one of the most dominant teams of the last decade. Being Idle this week should help in their return against Georgia, Oct. 30. If a loss follows, they may need to consult Dr. Tebow.

Cincinnati:

DJ Woods – WR – Head – Probable:

Woods took a blast to the head from a Louisville defender as he was going for a pass over the middle last week. He is considered probable against South Florida.

Kentucky:

Derrick Locke – RB – Sting – Doubtful:

Locke missed the South Carolina game because of a stinger from the week before and is listed as doubtful for the game against Georgia. As long as the offense has Randall Cobb, it may not matter.

Michigan:

Denard Robinson – QB – Arm – Questionable:

The Wolverines head into a bye week with questions surrounding star quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson had his arm and shoulder banged against Iowa and would be questionable to play this week. Following the bye, Robinson should be fine.

Nebraska:

Taylor Martinez – QB – Poise – Probable:

Martinez was pulled from the Texas game last Saturday due to poor play. It was Martinez’s first game against Texas and should be one to remember. Coaches wanted to take the red-shirt freshman from the game and go with the more experienced Zach Lee. Martinez, however, remains the starter and is a go against Oklahoma State.

North Carolina:

Zach Pianalto – TE – Leg – Out For Season:

Pianalto, who was having a fine season, will miss the remainder of the 2010 season. The senior broke his fibula against Virginia.

Notre Dame:

Michael Floyd – WR – Hamstring – Questionable:

Floyd has been fighting with hamstring problems this season, playing through pain last week against Western Michigan. Floyd is listed as questionable as the injury has not gotten better.

Kyle Rudolph – TE – Hamstring – Out For Season:

Part of the reason the Irish are being so cautious with Floyd is because junior tight end Kyle Rudolph was lost for the season last week with a hamstring tear.

Oregon:

Darron Thomas – QB – Shoulder – Probable:

Thomas left the Ducks last game against Washington State before the bye week with a shoulder injury. Things look positive for Thomas against UCLA, though. If Thomas is not able to go, Nate Costa would most likely get the start.

Rutgers:

Eric LeGrand – DT – Spinal Cord – Out:

LeGrand suffered a tragic spinal cord injury on a kickoff last week against Army. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency Spinal Cord surgery after fracturing his C3 and C4 disks. LeGrand lost feeling from the neck down, but is responsive. Thoughts and prayers go out to the LeGrand family and a fast recovery to Eric.

South Carolina:

Marcus Lattimore – RB – Ankle – Doubtful:

The freshman sensation at running back, Lattimore came across the misfortune of an ankle injury in the second half against Kentucky. Lattimore is listed as doubtful and is unlikely to play against Vanderbilt. The freshman won’t even begin practicing until Thursday.

Virginia Tech:

Ryan Williams – RB – Hamstring – Probable:

Williams suffered a hamstring injury against East Carolina and has yet to play since then. Tech coaches aren’t rushing the injury, but Williams is expected to finally return this week against Duke.