WVU Rich Rodriguez provides update on injury to WR Armoni Weaver-Bomar, other starters, new transfers
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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia football might not have won a lot of games recently, losing back-to-back, but at least through five games, they can't blame injuries like last season. The Mountaineers have suffered one season-ending injury, being defensive lineman Darius Wiley, while the rest are just players being "banged up," as Rich Rodriguez called it.
There were a few starters who were injured after the three-point loss to Iowa State, 45-42, though, and Rodriguez spoke about the status of other key players.
Slot receiver Armoni Weaver-Bomar was ruled out prior to the Cyclones. He's had a productive year behind receiver D.J. Epps. When Weaver-Bomar hasn't been injured, he's had three carries and three receptions for a total of 81 yards. Weaver-Bomar had a big touchdown catch for 49 yards against Coastal Carolina.
Rodriguez said Weaver-Bomar fractured his finger, so he's had surgery. He said he could be out around three to four weeks, recovering.
"It’s kind of an unfortunate thing," Rodriguez said. "He was playing pretty good, too."
Tight end Cam Ball had an injury designation before Oklahoma State, and Rodriguez said he was dealing with an injury after Iowa State. The Mississippi State veteran transfer hasn't registered a stat through five games.
On the defensive side, impact linebacker Ashton Woods was injured heading into the matchup with the Cyclones and was listed as probable throughout the week and eventually available. Defensive coordinator Zac Alley didn’t believe he was healthy enough to help the team.
Instead, it was a heavy helping of linebacker Cam Torbor, Ben Cutter and Isaiah Patterson. Torbor continues to grow in the role as a redshirt freshman and led the team with 10 tackles. Patterson, the UNLV transfer, had an interception.
Rodriguez doesn't believe Woods will miss the game this week.
Starting pass rusher Harper Holloman came out of the Iowa State game with a ding. The Western Kentucky transfer had three tackles against the Cyclones. He's had three quarterback hurries, half a tackle for loss and 12 total tackles on the year.
He should be good to go this weekend, with nothing major.
Along with injuries, Rodriguez provided an update on the two Power Four additions to the roster, Georgia transfer safety JaCorey Thomas and Utah transfer running back NaQuari Rogers. Both were recently ruled eligible to play before the Oklahoma State game after a court ruling.
Thomas has been with the team since before the season started, so he's a bit further along in the process than Rogers, who joined the team before Oklahoma State. Thomas had four tackles in his debut against the Cyclones.
"He was pretty competitive," Rodriguez said. "He’s learning. It’s brand new to him."
Rogers didn't play, and Rodriguez said he was on the scout team in his first week with the team. Rogers played at Utah last year, after two seasons at Campbell and New Mexico. He had 387 yards last season and 1,598 yards in his career.
"Last week was kind of his first week of practice, but it was it was two weeks in the system," Rodriguez said. "But he’s a really mature guy. He’s a very conscientious guy, and I just saw a little bit of seat in practice, and this guy’s got some skills."