Most Impactful College Football Injuries Heading Into Week 6

Most Impactful College Football Injuries Heading Into Week 6

Alright, who blinked? After seemingly just begging for the Week Zero slate to arrive, we are suddenly at Week 6 of college football. Unfortunately, we can’t have football without injuries, and the injury bug has arrived in full force. There are a number of key players with major injury concerns as we look ahead to the weekend slate. Here are the most impactful college football injuries heading into Week 6!

Here is everything you need to know regarding the BIGGEST injuries on both sides of the ball. However, injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @TheDegenDoc!

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Most Impactful College Football Injuries Heading Into Week 6

DJ Uiagalelei (QB) Florida State Seminholes

Injury: Broken Finger
Injury Date: 9/28/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Player Year: Senior

We kick off our Week 6 college football injury report with an injury that seems mighty convenient. Starting Florida State QB DJ Uiagalelei reportedly suffered a broken finger on his throwing hand and has been ruled out for this week. After an abysmal start to the season with more interceptions than touchdowns, the transfer QB was set to host the team he started his career with. However, it looks like a fairly significant injury will prevent him from trying to mount an unlikely upset against the Clemson Tigers this week.

Uiagalelei suffered the injury last week, late in the game. A fracture in the finger has some variability in recovery timeline depending on size and location but it will take a minimum of three weeks to heal. This injury is also detrimental as it occurs to his throwing hand and could affect his ability to grip the ball when he returns.

There is still testing being done on his finger to determine the exact damage and provide an accurate recovery timeline. For now, redshirt freshman Brock Glenn will take over as starter and try to bring a spark to this putrid offense. Expect Uiagalelei to be sidelined for at least three weeks and likely closer to five or six weeks.

Mykel Williams (DE) Georgia Bulldogs

Injury: Ankle Injury
Injury Date: 8/31/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 weeks
Player Year: Junior

The Georgia Bulldogs absolutely steam rolled the Clemson Tigers to start the season. The Bulldogs were led by their stifling defense who held the Tigers to only three points. One of the leaders of this defense, junior DE Mykel Williams was on his way to an impressive day with two TFLs before suffering an ankle injury.

The nature of his ankle injury has not been disclosed but after missing four games in a row, it is safe to assume he suffered a high ankle sprain. A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments that hold together your lower leg bones. This is a stable joint, meaning it takes a lot of force to damage and if it is damaged, it takes more time to heal.

There was optimism Williams would return last week but after dressing out and warming up, he ultimately did not play against Alabama. Despite the disappointment last week, he was upgraded to probable this week and I expect him to return to the field.

Tre Harris (WR) Ole Miss Rebels

Injury: Leg Injury
Injury Date: 9/14/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior

The Ole Miss Rebels got absolutely shell shocked last week. After cruising and dominating bad competition the first four weeks Ole Miss finally played a real test and failed. There are many things to blame for their loss to Kentucky, but one of them is NOT WR Tre Harris. The Senior WR has broken out these first few games, and even had a productive game last week fighting through injury.

Harris picked up this undisclosed leg injury in Wake 3 against Wake Forest. For the team’s sake he has been playing through the injury and producing at a high level. In more good news, Harris he was upgraded from “questionable” to “probable” for this week. I expect Harris to be good to go against South Carolina.

Desmond Reid (RB) Pittsburgh Panthers

Injury: Undisclosed Injury
Injury Date: 9/14/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior

One of the best stories in college football has been this Pittsburgh Panthers team completely outperforming their expectations. The Panthers have especially transformed their team on offense. They went from an antiquated low scoring offense to a new high powered offense, with a lot of credit deserved for Junior RB Desmond Reid.

Reid is a former Western Carolina player who came to Pittsburgh this season with his former offensive coordinator Kade Bell. After lighting the league on fire the first few weeks, he suffered an undisclosed injury against West Virginia in Week 3 and had been sidelined since.

However, head coach Pat Narduzzi has since announced that Reid will return and be close to 100%. This is great news for this Pitt offense who just received the news that their former starting RB Rodney Hammond has now been deemed eligible for this season. Pittsburgh gets back their two leading rushers with a prime matchup against a poor North Carolina defense.

Thomas Castellanos (QB) Boston College Eagles

Injury: Undisclosed Injury
Injury Date: 9/21/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior

This next injury update is about as quick as the player’s absence. Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos picked up an undisclosed injury in their victory over Michigan State. This led to him missing the next game against Western Kentucky. Thankfully, he is already back and will be starting this week against Virginia.

Chez Mellusi (RB) Wisconsin Badgers

Injury: Multiple injuries
Injury Date: Entire season
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4+ weeks
Player Year: Senior

This next week 6 college football situation is a bit odd. Starting Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi has decided to step away from the team and focus on getting his body healthy. He reportedly has already picked up several injuries this season and he is not happy with his recovery process so far.

There is no timetable for how long Mellusi will be away from the team. Wisconsin is losing their leading rusher for the indefinite future.

Rueben Owens (RB) Texas A&M Aggies

Injury: Foot Injury
Injury Date: 8/10/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 months
Time from injury to Week 1, 2024: 3 weeks
Player Year: Sophomore

Sophomore RB Rueben Owens suffered a significant foot injury and will “likely” be out for the season. Head coach Mike Elko stated that there’s an outside chance Owens could return for a deep postseason run, but the expectation is that he will be out all year. This was the initial report given on the foot injury that Owens suffered before the season. However, in recent weeks Owens has popped up on the injury report with a “questionable” designation.

Despite being listed as questionable for Week 5, Owens has already been ruled out for this week. Without knowing the specific injury, it’s difficult to say if this is just coach speak or if the young RB actually has a chance to return this season.

Owens showed flashes last season but ultimately was part of a three-man RB committee. RBs Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels will likely soften the blow as they take over the Aggies’ backfield.

LaNorris Sellers (QB) South Carolina Gamecocks

Injury: Ankle Injury
Injury Date: 9/14/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Freshman

As Ole Miss attempts to rebound from their upset loss last week, they will likely be facing a talented young QB. LaNorris Sellers picked up an ankle injury a couple weeks ago against LSU but seems to be trending in the right direction for this week. After given the week off last week versus Akron, Sellers is set to return with a big opportunity to beat a team many thought were playoff contenders.

With how quickly Sellers was able to return and will the probable designation on the injury report, this tells me that Sellers is likely dealing with a mild low ankle sprain. These injuries typically take 1-2 weeks to recover and can be played through. After the week off, I expect Sellers to be the QB1 for the Gamecocks.

Tyleik Williams (DT) Ohio State Buckeyes

Injury: Undisclosed Injury
Injury Date: 9/7/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Senior

Star defensive tackle Tyleik Williams returning to the lineup is just what Ohio State needed before a matchup with Iowa. Williams suffered an undisclosed injury in Week 2 that has sidelined him for about a month. He was able to return in some capacity last week as he was dressed and available for the game, despite. not playing at all. This week, the expectation is that Williams will play and he will be relied on to stop that potent Iowa rushing attack.
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