Rich Rodriguez discusses injury to Nicco Marchiol, others
West Virginia already had a long list of injuries that the program was dealing with and head coach Rich Rodriguez added another to the list in redshirt junior quarterback Nicco Marchiol.
Marchiol came to see Rodriguez Sunday with midfoot pain that had been bothering him for a while, and he is currently in Colorado to see a foot specialist to get that checked out.
“He’s actually out there today getting that checked out because he says it’s been bothering him for a couple weeks. And so, he’s going to be questionable,” Rodriguez said.
Marchiol has started all four of the games to this point for West Virginia but now the plan is to get all four of the other signal callers reps this week in order to determine a plan moving forward if he can’t suit up.
At this stage, Rodriguez said he doesn’t know how long Marchiol will be out, but it opens an opportunity for the others on the roster if he isn’t available.
“And they’ve done a good job in practice staying engaged and getting their opportunities,” he said. “And I think all knowing that they have a chance to play helps them stay engaged.”
Rodriguez stays out of the medical issues with his players as that is an issue for the medical staff but admitted that even if a player is able to go physically potentially there are hurdles to clear mentally.
“That’s always a concern if you’ve missed a week of practice but if you’re good to go health wise for the game are you ready to go mentally?” he said.
Rodriguez expressed confidence in all of the other quarterbacks and their ability to throw the football but it’s a matter of throwing it to the right player at the right time and reading the defense against a bunch of different looks.
Marchiol isn’t the only injury that West Virginia is navigating though as starting running back Jahiem White and starting wide receiver Jaden Bray have already been ruled out for the season, while running back Tye Edwards is still questionable dealing with a hip pointer.
Another running back in Cyncir Bowers sustained a concussion against Kansas and is questionable. That means that Diore Hubbard, Tyler Jacklich and Clay Ash will have more opportunities in practice this week with the others injured.
Meanwhile the offensive line also is dealing with multiple injuries. Starting center Landen Livingston is questionable to two other starters in right guard Kimo Makane’ole and right tackle Ty’kieast Crawford are probable, but Rodriguez wants to see how they fare over the next few days.
“Today’s practice, tomorrow’s practice is going to be helpful for us to see if, to your point, some of these other guys are going to be able to go in there and compete. Throwing them against Utah is probably not the best thing, because they’re going to be one of the best fronts we’ve faced all year. But it is what it is,” he said.
On the positive front, Rodriguez hopes that tight end Jacob Barrick will return this week while wide receiver Preston Fox they want to see how he handles this week.
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