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Michigan State Football: Week 5 depth chart reaction

By Thomas Nikundiwe

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In an ironic turn, the Michigan State football team was worried about injuries coming out of the Air Force game, and then came out of the Central game with a much worse injury situation.

Must Read: Josh Jackson Rumors: Izzo visiting 5-star on West Coast trip?

Despite the injuries to Jack Conklin, Josiah Price and R.J. Williamson, the depth chart for Purdue this weekend looks pretty similar to last week’s.

Note: MSU actually names 12 offensive starters on its depth chart, depending on offensive sets.

Offense
WR – Aaron Burbridge, Macgarrett Kings, R.J. Shelton
OL – Jack Conklin or Dennis Finley, Brian Allen, Jack Allen, Donavon Clark OR Benny McGowan, Miguel Machado OR Donavon Clark
TE – Josiah Price OR Jamal Lyles OR Paul Lang
RB – Madre London OR L.J. Scott
FB – Trevon Pendleton
QB – Connor Cook

Defense
DL – Shilique Calhoun, Joel Heath, Malik McDowell, Lawrence Thomas
LB – Darien Harris, Riley Bullough, Jon Reschke
DB – Demetrious Cox, Montae Nicholson, R.J. Williamson, Arjen Colquhoun

Special Teams
KO – Kevin Cronin
PK – Michael Geiger
P – Jake Hartbarger
SN – Taybor Pepper
HLD – Matt Macksood
KR – R.J. Shelton, L.J. Scott
PR – MacGarrett Kings

Take a look at some of the initial reactions following the depth chart release:

What’s up with Conklin

Jack Conklin was hurt in the first half against Central and then sat out the second half in street clothes. There is no replacing a talent like Jack Conklin, so this was a significant development and a loss that would definitely hurt the team for the duration of his injury.

Conklin is listed as an ‘OR’ on this week’s depth chart meaning he might start or he might not. My guess is that Conklin will be out against Purdue, but it was Coach Dantonio’s way of saying that Conklin will be back.

In his press conference, Dantonio said that there were no new season ending injuries.

Nothing to see here

Joel Heath, Josiah Price and R.J. Williamson all missed time in last week’s game, but all are listed as starters on this week’s depth chart. Heath didn’t play at all, though the announcers mentioned that he could play in an emergency.

Sitting last week probably means that he will be set to go for the next game. Price turned his ankle late against Central. He is listed as co-starter with Jamal Lyles and Paul Lang. If he needs to sit, then those guys can fill in for him — especially against a team like Purdue.

Finally, Williamson is back in the starting lineup. There was some speculation that Montae Nicholson’s erratic play combined with Williamson’s injury would result in a shakeup in the depth chart. Not so much. Let’s hope the depth chart is straight up and Williamson is good to go.

Riley’s back

As expected, Riley Bullough is back in the starting lineup after sitting out the first half against Central. Shane Jones has been moved up to second string for the first time this season after starting last week’s game.

Redshirt to green shirt?

A week after Grayson Miller lost his redshirt, Khari Willis got his first game experience against Central losing his redshirt in the process. He still sits third in the depth chart at safety, but look for him to get more snaps this week.

Will other freshmen lose their redshirts, as well? As cornerback continues to be the biggest question mark, the most likely red to green shirts include David Dowell and Josh Butler who each sit third string at the moment.

Next: MSU vs. Central Michigan: 5 takeaways from win

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