Michigan State vs Rutgers: Injury report

The injuries continue to mount for Michigan State at a rate unlike any other in the Dantonio era. The Spartans suffered two serious injuries against Purdue last week when safety R.J. Williamson tore his bicep and offensive tackle Dennis Finley broke his tibia and fibula in a particularly gruesome play.

Williamson may be able to return for the last game of the regular season or bowl game. Finley is out for the season and will have a long road to recovery ahead of him.

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There does appear to be a light at the end of this injury tunnel as news came on Tuesday that injured starting offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Kodi Kieler were able to practice this week. Will we see them play against Rutgers this week?

Mark Staten told Mike Wilson of 247Sports that it’s a possibility.

"“Well, they’re working toward that,” offensive line coach Mark Staten said. “They were out there today and they’re getting better. The plan is for one, if not both, to be back. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll just continue to play on.”"

The coaches may play it safe and decide to hold Conklin and Kieler out to ensure they are completely healthy for next week’s game against Michigan.

If that were to happen, we could see an offensive line combination similar to last week after Finley went out, with Jack Allen at left tackle, David Beedle at left guard, Brian Allen at center, Brandon Clemons or Benny McGowan at right guard and Donovan Clark at right tackle. There are numerous possibilities, as seen in this week’s depth chart, which listed co-starters at every position on the offensive line.

“We have quite a different number of ways we can go with this,” head coach Mark Dantonio told Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press.

Nov 8, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) runs for yards after the catch during the 2nd half of a game against Ohio State at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

The bright side to all of these injuries on the offensive line is the depth created as a result from forcing inexperienced players into action.

When Conklin and Kieler return, there will now be more players in the rotation which will pay dividends later in the year, not to mention next season.

Tight end Josiah Price also returned to practice this week. If Price were to play, it would be a big boost to Michigan State’s red zone game. Price has four touchdowns in four games played this season, which ties him for the team lead with Aaron Burbridge.

Let’s take a look at the full Michigan State vs Rutgers injury report:

Michigan State:

OT Jack Conklin (knee) questionable, TE Josiah Price (ankle) questionable, OT Kodi Kieler (knee) questionable; S R.J. Williamson (bicep) out indefinitely, LB Drake Martinez (foot) out indefinitely; OT Dennis Finley (broken leg) out for season, CB Vayante Copeland (broken neck) out for season, LB Ed Davis (knee) out for season; DE Montez Sweat (suspension) out indefinitely, S Mark Meyers (suspension) out indefinitely

Rutgers:

WR Leonte Carroo (suspension) probable; DB Davon Jacobs (undisclosed) questionable, DB Brian Verbitski (lower body) questionable, WR Dontae Owens (lower body) questionable, TE George Behr (lower body) questionable, WR Jawuan Harris (lower body) questionable, RB Charles Snorweah (upper body) questionable, RB Desmon Peoples (upper body) questionable, LB Austin Rosa (upper body) questionable; OL Jacquis Webb (lower body) out for season, DL Darius Hamilton (lower body) out for season.

Rutgers received a big boost this week when star wide receiver Leonte Carroo was reinstated to the program after all charges were dropped stemming from an incident outside of Rutgers’ Stadium where he was accused of body slamming an ex-girlfriend.

Michigan State’s secondary will certainly have its hands full with the future NFL receiver.

Next: Michigan State vs. Rutgers: 5 bold predictions

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