The Oregon State Beavers may or may not have a big injury problem Saturday for their 11:15 a.m. game at Arizona State.
During his Monday press conference, OSU coach Jonathan Smith didn’t reveal many details regarding the nine players, including several starters, who sustained an injury during Saturday’s win over California.
Among those who left Saturday’s game in Reser Stadium were senior safety Jaydon Grant, junior cornerback Alex Austin and short-yardage ace Jack Colletto.
OSU could be without as many as six starters and nine players who heavily participate. Smith said that while the injury toll was heavy Saturday, it’s hardly an unusual situation for mid-November.
“We’re not the only program dealing with that,” Smith said. “Shoot, we’re playing Arizona State, and they’ve had a bunch. I look across the league. It’s an unfortunate part of the game. No one is playing with their full roster at the end of the year.”
Smith cautioned that it’s not time to panic, and pointed to his team’s performance in the Beavers’ 38-10 romp over California as the reason why. Smith thought OSU’s backups were prepared and delivered when asked to take over for their injured teammates.
“This idea of next-man-up and being ready to go when called upon, we had so many examples of that in, really, all three phases,” Smith said. “I think it’s due to our culture around here, that guys are preparing even if they haven’t done a ton of playing time, but they’ve been ready. They were on it, throughout the night.”
Here’s an injury rundown and Smith comments:
Running back Deshaun Fenwick didn’t dress for the game. “We felt like a weekend off gives him the potential to return. We’ll see how it looks the end of this week.”
Outside linebacker John McCartan, like Fenwick, was in street clothes vs. the Bears. “Was close to being able to play. We’re optimistic that this weekend he’ll be back.”
On running back Jam Griffin: “We’ll see how he looks toward the end of the week. Not ready to call him out yet.” Linebacker Jack Colletto, who had a left hamstring injury, is similar to Griffin.
On right tackle Taliese Fuaga and left guard Heneli Bloomfield: “Lower extremity kind of injury, but not season ending. We’ll see how they look at the end of the week.”
On Austin: “He’s been battling for a couple weeks. That guy is tough. It flared up on him during the game. We’ll see. Jaydon Grant is in the same boat.”
And receiver Jesiah Irish: “Feel confident he’ll be back.”
Whether none, some, or all are out at Arizona State, Smith believes the Beavers will compete well.
“I’m confident that we’re going to have a great opportunity to play with quality football guys this coming Saturday,” Smith said.
Nick Daschel reported from Corvallis
