Injury update: RB Tony Gregory out for the Cincinnati game, LG David Wang probable
Just a week after his most productive game to date, Virginia Tech running back Tony Gregory will not be making the trip with the team for the Cincinnati game because of a knee injury.
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Gregory is not on the 68-man travel roster for the game because of his balky left knee, which was surgically repaired last January.
Gregory ran 11 times for 68 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards in the Hokies’ win against Bowling Green last week. But he was in a blue, limited-contact jersey in practice this week after some swelling and soreness in his left knee. He tore the ACL of his left knee in both 2010 and ’11.
Coaches and Gregory dismissed it as being more of a precautionary measure than anything, given the wet field the Hokies practiced on Tuesday, although it appears it is more serious than they were letting on.
Michael Holmes is still expected to start at tailback, with J.C. Coleman and Martin Scales serving as complementary options.
From the poor-timing department, I wrote about Gregory for today’s paper. Although it is pretty spot on actually, since the tone of it is about Gregory’s potential if he could ever stay healthy.
In other news, left guard David Wang (ankle) is listed as probable. He did not play last week but had shown improvement throughout this week.
Here is the full injury report for Cincinnati:
- Out for Season: OT Nick Acree (knee), WR D.J. Coles (knee)
- Out: RB Tony Gregory (knee), WR Joshua Stanford (knee)
- Probable: LG David Wang (ankle)
Note: To be included on the weekly injury report, one must spend at least one day during game week in blue (limited) or green (no contact). If a player is not listed, he doesn’t meet the above criteria and practiced full all week, thus will play Saturday.
Game Status: Out = Player will not play; Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play; Questionable = 50% chance a player will play; Probable = 75% chance a player will play.
September 27, 2012 - 2:08 PM
That’s a disappointment! I was hoping that Gregory would start over Holmes, not a knock on Holmes, but Gregory just can’t seem to catch a break. His knees must really be bothering him for him to not make the travel team, unless the coaches are trying to rest him more so they could use him for the UNC game, which would make more sense to me.
this is the first time in many years the Hokies are weak at running back !!! With no go to runner and very poor o-line run blocking ( many years of it with Newsome ) the Hokie offense is hurting, when is Beamer going to figure this out ?????????????????????????????????? Newsome must GO !!!!!!!!!!
It’s not the backs it’s the O-line. Watch them block or I should say the lack of blocking. They will get it together though.
Stinks for Gregory but honestly if this means more JC Coleman…then we will be better off. Except for his fumble vs Peay, he has looked like the best back BY FAR…I don’t know what other people are watching but 4 carries a game is not nearly enough for JCC. And forget the “small” excuse…192 lbs of muscle at 5’6″ (no way he’s taller than that) is like trying to hit a rolling boulder for defensive players. JC is the answer!
Coleman showed his explosiveness last weekend, for sure. What I like about Holmes is his no-nonsense attitude and it reflects in the way he runs. He runs patiently, waiting for the crease, and boom, he hits it. Unlike DW, he waits. That might be why the rushing yard stat is a bit low. Coleman can run between the tackle if given a crease and he is dangerous around the edge.
I think the challenge for Shane is trying to find the running back that’s hot. Last weekend, it was Gregory. Now he’s out. That means more opportunities for the other 3 backs. Personally, I think Holmes and Coleman should be on the field more often together. With Thomas running the offense, the plays should be more option based, triple option, read, sweep, jet sweep, whatever the hell they can pull from the playbook to throw off Cincy’s defense. Heck, even Marcus Davis should be in the backfield!