Northwestern injury report: Phillips questionable
October, 22, 2009
Oct 22
5:11
PM ET
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Northwestern has issued its official injury report for Saturday's home game against Indiana (Big Ten Network, noon ET).
OUT
The Wildcats could be without both of their starting safeties against Indiana, which boasts a good wide receiving corps. Smith underwent surgery last week on his hand but is expected back at some point this season. Phillips would be a big loss because he makes a ton of plays (three forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery). Brian Peters, considered a third starter at safety, will step into one of the spots. Redshirt freshmen Jared Carpenter and Hunter Bates, the son of former Dallas Cowboys star Bill Bates, would be the next men in line at safety. Given the ongoing struggles in the run game, it's important that Northwestern gets either Schmidt or Simmons, if not both, on the field Saturday. The good news here is no Corey Wootton on the report, though the defensive end has clearly been limited by an ankle injury the last few weeks.
Northwestern has issued its official injury report for Saturday's home game against Indiana (Big Ten Network, noon ET).
OUT
- OT Mike Boyle, back
- RB Alex Daniel, ankle (out for season)
- S Brendan Smith, hand
- LB Bryce McNaul, leg
- S Brad Phillips, shoulder
- RB Jacob Schmidt, ankle
- RB Stephen Simmons, ankle
The Wildcats could be without both of their starting safeties against Indiana, which boasts a good wide receiving corps. Smith underwent surgery last week on his hand but is expected back at some point this season. Phillips would be a big loss because he makes a ton of plays (three forced fumbles, one interception, one fumble recovery). Brian Peters, considered a third starter at safety, will step into one of the spots. Redshirt freshmen Jared Carpenter and Hunter Bates, the son of former Dallas Cowboys star Bill Bates, would be the next men in line at safety. Given the ongoing struggles in the run game, it's important that Northwestern gets either Schmidt or Simmons, if not both, on the field Saturday. The good news here is no Corey Wootton on the report, though the defensive end has clearly been limited by an ankle injury the last few weeks.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
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