Following a 21-6 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, the streaking Virginia Tech Hokies turned their attention towards the Syracuse Orange with some uncertainty at running back and left tackle. However, after a few days of recovery, it appears stars Bhayshul Tuten and Xavier Chaplin are trending towards playing on Saturday.
Let's start with what head coach Brent Pry had to say about the status of Bhayshul Tuten.
“Bhayshul is probable right now,” said Pry. “It was a decent injury that obviously we’re concerned about. He’s tough and if he has an opportunity to play, he will.”
Pry echoed similar sentiments about Xavier Chaplin’s injury status.
“He’s got the shoulder (injury) that’s kind of been ongoing a little bit. He got leg whipped and a minor bone bruise, but I’d say Xavier is probable also. He’s a tough guy," said Pry.
The availability of both players is paramount to the Hokies/ success both against Syracuse and for the rest of the year. Tuten is rightly regarded as one of the best backs in the entire country, leading the ACC in rushing touchdowns and trailing just behind North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton in rushing yards.
If Tuten were to miss time, Malachi Thomas would slide into the starting role while Jeremiah Coney would likely take on the backup role.
Chaplin is similarly impactful, tasked with opening up the holes for Tuten to run through. Just a week ago, Pro Football Focus graded him as the top left tackle in the country for his blocking performance in Tuten’s record-setting rushing performance against Boston College.
Johnny Garrett has filled in for Chaplin when he missed time due to injury last week and against ODU earlier this season, and would be expected to do so again if Chaplin were to miss the Syracuse game.
Given how crucial the rushing attack has been to Virginia Tech's offense, being without one or both could cause issues for the Hokies.
