Virginia Tech dealt with their fair share of injuries in their 37-17 victory over Old Dominion, with five players going down at one point or another including Bhayshul Tuten, Ali Jennings, Xavier Chaplin, Stephen Gosnell, and Keli Lawson.
While Tuten and Gosnell both returned, the other three did not though Lawson's injury happened so late that it was unclear if he could have given how far down the depth chart Tech was working guys in at.
Following the game, Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry provided updates on both Ali Jennings and Xavier Chaplin.
Let's start with standout WR Ali Jennings who went down late in the first half and did not return to the game. Pry provided the following remarks on Jennings' status after.
"He’s got a tweak. I think he’s going to be OK, but we weren’t comfortable putting him back out there. He was disappointed. It was good to see him make a few plays early," Pry said.
Tech's impressive WR depth allows for some greater flexibility for the Hokies with Ayden Greene specifically taking on a much larger role during the second half. Jennings' situation will be something to monitor this week going into the Rutgers game.
The other offensive starter who didn't return was left tackle Xavier Chaplin who appeared to suffer a minor injury during warmups. Though he did start this game, he went down on the second play and did not come back in after that.
During postgame remarks, Pry shared the following update while adding that Chaplin apparently got accidentally kicked pregame which caused the injury.
"I think Xavier’s fine. I think he’ll be OK. He took a pretty good lick and they X-rayed it, it was clear. And he just couldn’t go. And I get it," Pry said.
Fellow redshirt sophomore Johnny Garrett, Tech's third offensive tackle, stepped in for Chaplin after that with Brent Pry being pleased with Garrett's performance.
"So Johnny stepped up. I think he played every snap but one or two and did a great job. He’s been working. He’s gotten better and better. We had a plan for him on some substitution stuff today. And we had to throw that out the window because all of a sudden he’s the starting left tackle. But he did a nice job," Pry said.
No update was provided postgame about Keli Lawson though Pry likely wouldn't have much to say given how late the injury came. Expect an update on Tuesday about Lawson when Pry has his weekly press conference.
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