College Football Week 9 Injury Report: Updates on John Brantley, Top Injuries

Every year in college football, there are injuries to some of the nation’s best players, and 2011 is no exception.

Entire teams have been stricken by the injury bug in recent weeks, and it could affect how well they perform in their remaining games.

Here is everything you need to know about all of the major injuries in college football heading into Week 9.

Oregon

Running back LaMichael James suffered a brutal looking injury against Cal, but it turned out to just be a dislocated elbow. He was in a soft cast for last week’s game against Colorado, but did not play because the Ducks absolutely demolished the Buffaloes.

Quarterback Darron Thomas also didn’t play last week because of a knee injury. Head coach Chip Kelly said he did not want to discuss the issue when asked about it in preparation for this week’s game against Washington State.

Oregon shouldn’t need either of those players, with Kenjon Barner and Bryan Bennett playing well, but we could see the injured players this week.

John Brantley

Florida quarterback John Brantley missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain but Will Muschamp thinks he will start this weekend against Georgia.

This is great news for the Gators since the team was really stagnant on offense without their senior leader. The odds of them beating the Bulldogs went up considerably with that announcement.

Jared Crick

Nebraska takes on red-hot Michigan State on Saturday, but they will be without one of their best players. Jared Crick tore his pectoral muscle and is done for the season.

The Huskers' defensive line had not been playing very well before his injury, and this will only exacerbate the problem with Edwin Baker and LeVeon Bell running at it.

Marcus Lattimore

The Gamecocks travel to Knoxville to take on the Volunteers this weekend, but they will be doing it without elite running back Marcus Lattimore.

He is done for the season after an injury suffered against Mississippi State. This will be South Carolina’s first game without him and it could make for a very rough trip.

Alabama

Injuries have started to pile up in Tuscaloosa, and it’s happening at the wrong time. Offensive linemen Cyrus Kouandijo will miss the big showdown with LSU, as will backup linebacker Alex Watkins.

Other players have also been hampered by injuries, and they are all on the offensive line, including Anthony Steen, Barrett Jones and Arie Kouandijo. The game is two weeks away, but offensive line depth could be crucial against a vicious LSU defense.

Virginia Tech

The Hokies also got bit by the injury bug in recent weeks. Three of their starters in the defensive front seven—Antoine Hopkins, Jeron Gouveia-Winslow and leading tackler Bruce Taylor—are done for the season.

All-American cornerback Jayron Hosley missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury and defensive end James Gayle aggravated an ankle injury last week. Virginia Tech plays Duke, but the injuries could be a factor.

Tyler Bray

Tennessee may play a wounded South Carolina team this week but they will have to do it with a new quarterback. Bray is out with a broken thumb and his backup, Matt Simms, has been replaced by true freshman Justin Worley.

The Volunteers really could use Bray’s experience against Melvin Ingram, Jadeveon Clowney and company.