WVU football should be close to ‘full strength’ against Oklahoma State
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MORGANTOWN -- By this time last year, meaning three games in, West Virginia football was already falling apart from the inside. The injury bug really bit the 2025 Mountaineers after the Backyard Brawl. WVU lost its top running back, Jaheim White and wide receiver Jaden Bray. Injuries to quarterback Nicco Marchiol and backup running back Tye Edwards soon followed. From there, injuries and poor play derailed the season, starting Big 12 play 0-5.
Now, three games into the 2026 season, WVU's been pretty fortunate to not be bitten to death by the injury bug.
"We didn't get anybody, thankfully, knocked out," Rich Rodriguez said.
There were some bumps and bruises Rodriguez provided updates on from the physical top-25 win over Virginia and previous injuries.
The biggest injury this season was to defensive lineman Darius Wiley, who went down in the second half against Coastal Carolina. He had a significant leg injury and needed to be carted off. Wiley was done for the season.
Since then, Wiley has had a successful surgery. It was an extensive process because there were multiple ligaments involved, according to Rodriguez. With the severity, Wiley could have another surgery. But signs are pointing to a positive recovery.
"That’s one that may take sometimes more than a year," Rodriguez said. "But we think he’ll be back and should be ready to go by next year."
In Wiley's place, Emerson Joy has stepped in. Joy transferred from JUCO and is slowly ramping up. He had two tackles against Virginia and a tackle for loss in the U.T. Martin game.
"I thought he got better from the first snap to the last snap," Defensive coordinator Zac Alley said. "He’s still learning how to play the game fast and physical, but he wants to do exactly what you tell him to do."
There were a couple of Mountaineers who missed snaps during the Virginia game. Left guard Nick Krahe went out with an injury, along with Bray, defensive tackle Nate Gabriel and tight end Cam Ball. All four of them are big contributors.
Rodriguez said none of the injuries were significant. All four of them will be limited in practice this week and should play this weekend against Oklahoma State.
Wide receiver Prince Strahan, the Southern California and Boise State transfer, made his debut in Week 3. Strachan had an injury in camp, which kept him out for the first two games. Strachan didn't play much against Virginia and didn't register a catch, but at 6-foot-5, he's a threat no matter the health.
Rodriguez said he'll ramp up as the season goes on.
"He’s a big physical guy and a good football player," Rodriguez said. "It was kind of the first game for him, and I think he’ll keep getting better. His role will be increasing for us, I think, starting this weekend."
In regard to the running back depth and the injury to true freshman running back Chris Talley, Rodriguez said he should be all set. Talley injured his hamstring before pregame warmups against Coastal Carolina.
Talley is expected to be in the rotation of RB3 behind lead back Cam Cook and true freshman Amari Latimer.
Cook has carried the ball a lot over the first three games. He's run the ball 70 times, which is third in the FBS. Cook had 30 rushing attempts against Virginia. There's a chance Cook gets run into the ground, but Cook isn't going to say no to getting the ball, and Rodriguez throughout the game isn't keeping track of carries.
He doesn't think it'll be an issue.
"They’re on scholarship, plus they’re getting paid," Rodriguez said.
Unlike last year, WVU seems to be pretty healthy going into Big 12 play, aside from losing Wiley. A lot of the major pieces remain, which has played a role in the team's early success. Like winning, the Mountaineers will have to keep staying away from the injury bug.
"Should be (full strength) Saturday," Rodriguez said.