Injury Report for Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia: More Heat on the Defense
STILLWATER – It seems like the injury bug is an every other season epidemic that Oklahoma State football has to deal with. Last season there were the receiver injuries and it seems every season the offensive line gets chewed up, but every other season the Cowboys end up with the injuries to the best players on the team.
Now, the defense is getting it’s unfortunate turn. All-American and standout pass rushing talent Collin Oliver went down in the Arkansas game. Oliver has a good chance to get back but it will likely be sometime in November. If you were asked to point out any other defender that you could not, would not want to lose that would clearly be linebacker Nick Martin. Last week in the late fourth quarter of the loss at Kansas State, Martin went down and then limped off the field. A knee sprain has him out for an indefinite period but that includes today against West Virginia.
It is Obi Ezeigbo and Jaleel Johnson that continue to work the Leo position on the defense in place of Oliver. Veteran linebacker Jeff Roberson will mind the Mike (middle) backer as he played that throughout spring football when Martin sat out rehabbing his wrist injury from last season. Linebacker Justin Wright out since before the start of the season is close, but wasn’t cleared for this game. He should be back after the bye week for the game at BYU on Oct. 18.
Ike Esonwune (6-0, 225, RS-Fr.) will see action at the weakside backer. Gabe Brown (6-2, 235, RS-So.) will also be on tap for duty in the middle and Chance Clements (6-1, 215), the son of linebackers coach Joe Bob Clements will also likely see more plays than he has.
Safety Kam Franklin, a backup and special teams contributor remains out with a hamstring issue.
On offense, offensive tackle Jake Springfield is still out with a stress fracture, but he is expected back for the BYU game as well. Also, slot receiver and returner Gavin Freeman is still dealing with a jaw issue and is not likely to see action against West Virginia.