Let’s take a Deep Dive as Purdue practiced in shells on Monday …
• It was tough to see Semisi Fakasiieiki go down on Monday. He looked to be in pain. His cries were audible from the sideline. The guy is a warrior who was gonna play a key role in 2021 as a run-stuffer and leader. He was in great shape and primed for his best season yet as a super senior. This reminds me a bit of when Markus Bailey got hurt in 2019.
Now what? Brad Lambert is training WLB Jaylan Alexander at MLB— Fakasiieiki’s spot. And Kieran Douglas is the No. 2 MLB. Sophomore Jacob Wahlberg is another option, along with redshirt freshmen Clyde Washington and Ben Kreul. I think Purdue can withstand this injury--and hopefully it won't keep Fakasiieiki out long.
• S Marvin Grant is still recovering from a quad injury suffered in the first practice of camp on Friday. His timetable for return is unknown. Could be a week—at the most.
• Leo DaMarcus Mitchell was assisted off the field at the end of practice on Saturday. Nothing serious, I am told. But he likely will take it easy for a week so he doesn’t overheat or dehydrate. (He was in T-shirt and shorts today.) Before he gets healthy, Mitchell will learn his fate this week as a member of the team. His status is murky despite the fact he's been practicing.
• CB Nyles Beverly went down during Friday’s practice. And he may have suffered a knee injury that threatens his season. Not ideal, especially for a player who has dealt with knee injuries in the past. He was dressed but not active today.
• G Tyler Witt tweaked an ankle on Saturday but is expected to be out a few days at the most. (He was on the field but not active today.) That’s good news. Purdue can’t afford to lose the Western Kentucky transfer who is slated to start at right guard. Depth on the o-line is ... iffy.
• OK, here’s the deal on Jaylan Alexander and why he has been running with the second-team. The senior had offseason surgery on his hip. Alexander is being eased into action as a precaution. The move also is allowing the staff to get an extended good look at Auburn transfer LB OC Brothers. And Brothers has looked good, as he did in the spring. Bottom line: As long as Alexander is healthy, he will start. He is just having his reps limited right now.
• WR Milton Wright has been dealing with a knee issue that has limited his availability in practice of late. Not everyone would give it a go like Wright, one of the tougher players on the team. Sure enough, Wright participated today (in a red jersey) and looked good.
• You may not have noticed, but true freshman OL Zach Richards did not practice on Saturday. He was out today, too. He aggravated a groin issue in Friday’s practice that may impact him all season. Richards dealt with the groin issue before camp even started. It’s hoped he can play through it. Stay tuned. The staff likes him.
• The early returns on Samford K Mitchell Fineran: All thumb’s up. As we thought, he is expected to win the job. Wanna see more from Aussie P Jack Ansell. He has shown a strong leg. Even when he mis-hits a kick, it will still sail 30-45 yards. Ansell is still expected to win the job.
• CB Jamari Brown has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has kept him from being full-go in camp. The Kentucky transfer was dressed but not active on Monday. Speaking of being out with a hamstring issue, that has been the case for WR Marcellus Moore on Saturday and continued on Monday.
Thanks for reading!!
• It was tough to see Semisi Fakasiieiki go down on Monday. He looked to be in pain. His cries were audible from the sideline. The guy is a warrior who was gonna play a key role in 2021 as a run-stuffer and leader. He was in great shape and primed for his best season yet as a super senior. This reminds me a bit of when Markus Bailey got hurt in 2019.
Now what? Brad Lambert is training WLB Jaylan Alexander at MLB— Fakasiieiki’s spot. And Kieran Douglas is the No. 2 MLB. Sophomore Jacob Wahlberg is another option, along with redshirt freshmen Clyde Washington and Ben Kreul. I think Purdue can withstand this injury--and hopefully it won't keep Fakasiieiki out long.
• S Marvin Grant is still recovering from a quad injury suffered in the first practice of camp on Friday. His timetable for return is unknown. Could be a week—at the most.
• Leo DaMarcus Mitchell was assisted off the field at the end of practice on Saturday. Nothing serious, I am told. But he likely will take it easy for a week so he doesn’t overheat or dehydrate. (He was in T-shirt and shorts today.) Before he gets healthy, Mitchell will learn his fate this week as a member of the team. His status is murky despite the fact he's been practicing.
• CB Nyles Beverly went down during Friday’s practice. And he may have suffered a knee injury that threatens his season. Not ideal, especially for a player who has dealt with knee injuries in the past. He was dressed but not active today.
• G Tyler Witt tweaked an ankle on Saturday but is expected to be out a few days at the most. (He was on the field but not active today.) That’s good news. Purdue can’t afford to lose the Western Kentucky transfer who is slated to start at right guard. Depth on the o-line is ... iffy.
• OK, here’s the deal on Jaylan Alexander and why he has been running with the second-team. The senior had offseason surgery on his hip. Alexander is being eased into action as a precaution. The move also is allowing the staff to get an extended good look at Auburn transfer LB OC Brothers. And Brothers has looked good, as he did in the spring. Bottom line: As long as Alexander is healthy, he will start. He is just having his reps limited right now.
• WR Milton Wright has been dealing with a knee issue that has limited his availability in practice of late. Not everyone would give it a go like Wright, one of the tougher players on the team. Sure enough, Wright participated today (in a red jersey) and looked good.
• You may not have noticed, but true freshman OL Zach Richards did not practice on Saturday. He was out today, too. He aggravated a groin issue in Friday’s practice that may impact him all season. Richards dealt with the groin issue before camp even started. It’s hoped he can play through it. Stay tuned. The staff likes him.
• The early returns on Samford K Mitchell Fineran: All thumb’s up. As we thought, he is expected to win the job. Wanna see more from Aussie P Jack Ansell. He has shown a strong leg. Even when he mis-hits a kick, it will still sail 30-45 yards. Ansell is still expected to win the job.
• CB Jamari Brown has been dealing with a hamstring issue that has kept him from being full-go in camp. The Kentucky transfer was dressed but not active on Monday. Speaking of being out with a hamstring issue, that has been the case for WR Marcellus Moore on Saturday and continued on Monday.
Thanks for reading!!
