Virginia Tech Without 3 Players, 1 Coach Against Richmond

Virginia Tech will be without starting right tackle Silas Dzansi due to injury that he suffered against West Virginia along with defensive assistant J.C. Price, DB Devon Hunter, and DE Mattheus Carroll due to COVID protocols.

The 3 COVID protocol absences for the Hokies are the first for Virginia Tech this season in the COVID area.

There was some hope that Dzansi could play this week but clearly they hae decided to take a cautious approach heading towards a bye with Notre Dame the week after. Tech is also going for a new look offensive line without Dzansi with Lecitus Smith at left tackle allowing Luke Tenuta to move to right tackle while Johnny Jordan starts at center and Brock Hoffman moves to right guard.

Of course, it wouldn't be surprising to see Tech try to get Tyrell Smith and Parker Clements some reps. Regardless, this lineup is definitely fascinating and quite experimental to say the least especially since Smith hasn't played tackle at Tech and is one of the ACC's best offensive guards.

The COVID protocol absences shouldn't have too much of an effect today given the opponent though it's always not as ideal when you're down a coach as the Hokies will be with not J.C. Price.

With Devon Hunter out today, it's easy to envision the Hokies working in Jalen Stroman more as a backup safety after Stroman received 6 defensive snaps last week at West Virginia, only 1 less than Hunter. This game would have also been a great chance to get Carroll some live game reps if Tech plays as expected and is able to get backups in throughout much of the second half.