Michigan State’s injury report just got absolutely brutal, with wide receiver Charles Taplin Jr. added to an already lengthy list, meaning he’ll miss their game against Northwestern today. This isn’t just one guy; it’s a gut punch for a team already struggling. But the Wildcats aren’t walking in scot-free either, as they’re missing their top defender in Robert Fitzgerald.
Spartans’ Defensive Lineup Is a Literal Nightmare
Seriously, it reads like a medical triage report. Taplin, a backup receiver who snagged three catches for 65 yards back in Week 2, hasn’t caught a pass in four games and is now out. That’s tough, but the real issue for Michigan State is on defense. They are down a laundry list of linebackers: Jordan Hall, spotted with a left arm sling, Brady Pretzlaff dealing with a head and neck injury, and Caleb Wheatland rocking a boot. Talk about being decimated! Their cornerback room isn’t looking much better, with Tyran Chappell out with a lower body injury, alongside Tre Bell, Charles Brantley, and Keshawn Williams. The only sliver of good news is fifth-year senior NiJhay Burt is back after getting hurt against Nebraska three weeks ago. It’s a miracle they can field a full defensive unit at this point.
Northwestern Not Without Its Own Headaches
While MSU is reeling, Northwestern isn’t exactly at full strength either. Losing Robert Fitzgerald, their leading tackler, is a massive blow to their defense. This guy leads the Wildcats with 49 tackles, 21 of them solo. You don’t just replace that kind of production. On offense, they’ll be without starting tight end Luke Dehnicke, who’s second among all Northwestern targets with 208 yards on 11 catches. And just to round it out, starting cornerback Josh Fussell is also sidelined after an injury from way back on September 25 against Indiana. Both teams are limping into this one, but MSU’s list is just wild.
This game kicks off today at noon sharp at Spartan Stadium and you can catch it on Peacock. Despite Michigan State’s (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) colossal injury issues, the betting line that opened at an 8 1/2-point favor for Northwestern (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) has shifted down to seven points. Seriously, how is it only seven points? ESPN Analytics still gives Northwestern a solid 79% chance to win, and honestly, looking at these injury reports, that feels like a conservative estimate. What a mess for the Spartans.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply