Virginia Tech will continue be without a key piece of its defensive front as the team enters conference play, while a pair of other important Hokies were absent from practice this week.
Defensive tackle Emmett Laws has been out all season and is going to be out indefinitely. Laws has not participated in the portions of practice open to the media and instead has only been seen working off to the side with the strength and conditioning staff. He has also been ruled out for Saturday's game.
The continued loss of Laws leaves Virginia Tech without somebody who was expected to be significant piece of its defensive line rotation as the Hokies move deeper into their schedule. There is currently no timetable for his return, making his status one to continue to monitor.
Virginia Tech was also without starting left tackle Justin Terry and wide receiver Ayden Greene during Wednesday's practice. Both players are listed as questionable for Saturday after going down against Maryland last Saturday,
After Terry went down, Oklahoma transfer Logan Howland stepped in at left tackle for much of the game and could be called upon again if Terry is unable to go. Howland and Layth Ghannam both worked at left tackle during Wednesday's practice.
Greene's absence is another situation to watch. The Penn State transfer has been part of a Virginia Tech receiving corps that has provided quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer with several options early in the season. His availability could impact how the Hokies rotate their receivers this weekend.
There was some positive news at the position, however.
Luke Stuewe practiced this week for the first time in a while after dealing with an injury that has kept him sidelined. Stuewe participated in drills Wednesday, though he remains listed as questionable.
His return to the practice field is at least an encouraging development for a Virginia Tech receiving room that could potentially be without Greene.
With Laws already ruled out indefinitely and the statuses of Terry, Greene and Stuewe still uncertain, Virginia Tech has several notable injury situations to monitor as Saturday approaches.
