Purdue football is still battling a brutal injury bug, with two former starters, Joey Tanona and Mister Clark, confirmed out yet again for Saturday’s 8 p.m. kickoff against Minnesota at Ross-Ade Stadium. It’s the same old story, one we’ve seen on the injury report all season, and it’s getting tougher to ignore.
Tanona’s Ankle Still Keeping Him Off The Field
Joey Tanona, who was the anchor at left tackle starting 12 games for Purdue just last season, hasn’t played a single snap this year. An ankle injury he picked up way back in fall camp is taking way longer than anyone anticipated to heal up. He’s still limited in practice, which means the offensive line is playing without a critical piece, and you have to wonder how much that’s messing with their chemistry and protection. When your starting LT is out this long, it sends ripples through the whole unit.
Mister Clark’s Arm Brace and Missing Games
On the defensive side, Mister Clark is in an arm brace and will miss his fifth straight game. This guy, a defensive back transfer from Florida International, actually started the season with a bang, racking up five tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup in Purdue’s opener against Indiana State. He showed flashes of being a real impact player right away, and now the secondary is missing that playmaking ability. Five straight games on the sideline is a huge chunk of the season, and it’s a big hit to that defense.
This isn’t just about two players, either. The report basically looks like it has all season, which tells you the depth is getting tested. Plus, tight end Kylan Fox and defensive back Raderrion Daniels were both ruled out for the entire season back during fall camp. With Tanona and Clark still sidelined, and other season-ending injuries already stacking up, Purdue is going to have to find a way to step up against Minnesota tonight. You just gotta wonder how much longer this team can keep battling through these critical absences. Talk about a tough start to the season.
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.
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