Virginia Tech's veteran starting TE Nick Gallo and third-string DT Gunner Givens were both absent from on-field activity yesterday at practice as both have suffered some injuries. After practice, Brent Pry provided a status update on both players along with revealing a third player who is dealing with an injury in Jeremiah Coney.
Let's start with the potentially more impactful injury to Gallo with Pry sharing the following insights on Wednesday.
"Yeah, he’s got an injury right now we’re still trying to figure out, is it going to be serious or not? He’s doing everything right right now, but we’ve still got some tests to run with him," Pry said.
Gallo may not be a big name, but there's no denying the value he brings to the Hokies as a quality, traditional tight end who is a very good run blocker and checkdown receiver along with growing as a receiving target down the field over the past year. Gallo brings a lot of experience and leadership as well that Tech simply doesn't have to replace at that tight end spot should Gallo miss some games.
If Gallo does have to miss some games, Benji Gosnell seems most likely to receive additional snaps as the more traditional in-line tight end. DaeQuan Wright could also get some more in-line tight end snaps in addition to his role as a jumbo receiver of sorts at the tight end spot.
Gallo isn't the only Hokie dealing with injuries as Gunner Givens and Jeremiah Coney are also both out currently as Pry discussed.
"Gunner’s got a mild injury that’s going to set him back for a couple weeks. He and Jeremiah Coney both had minor surgeries that’s going to keep them out the first couple weeks," Pry said.
Givens has been working with the third team defensive line while Jeremiah Coney has looked like the fifth running back for the Hokies.
Givens seems unlikely to see much playing time on defense this year at defensive tackle given the loads of experience and solid veterans that the Hokies have ahead of him on the depth chart. It's unknown if you could see him work some on special teams.
Meanwhile, Coney seemed likely for a redshirt anyway with the 1-2 punch of Malachi Thomas and Bhayshul Tuten at the top of the RB depth chart plus Chance Black and Bryce Duke battling for RB3. This injury only increases those very high chances of Coney redshirting this season.
