Two more injured Tigers to miss the rest of the season
Memphis' bad luck with injuries continued as coach Mike Norvell announced Monday that senior tight end Sean Dykes and freshman defensive end Cole Mashburn will be out for the remainder of the season.
Dykes started in the Tigers' win over Navy but had been battling a recurring knee injury suffered in preseason camp, Norvell said. Mashburn's injury was not disclosed.
"He did everything in his power to get back and to play here at the early part of the season," Norvell said about Dykes. "(He) had a little setback this last week, and so we've made the decision that he's going to miss the rest of the year as he continues to rehabilitate."
Both Dykes and Mashburn will use their redshirt year. Along with receiver John "Pop" Williams (knee), Memphis now has lost three players to seasonending injuries.
Dykes played in all four games this season with three starts and caught two passes for 9 yards. He played a key role when the Tigers have gone to two-tight end sets to help their running game or pass blocking.
Over his past three seasons, Dykes also showed his value as a pass catcher. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass to cap the Tigers' comeback over Houston in 2017 and also had three catches for 161 yards against Central Florida in the AAC Championship game that season.
Mashburn enrolled early in spring camp and played in two games. Norvell had such high hopes for him during preseason camp that he anticipated playing Mashburn the whole season along with fellow freshman defensive end Jalil Clemons.
"It's unfortunate that for both of those guys that this occurred, but it's just another opportunity for somebody else to rise up and obviously help this team," Norvell said.
While the Tigers have depth at defensive line, they will turn to youth at tight end alongside Joey Magnifico. Redshirt freshman Kameron Wilson and sophomore Tyce Daniel have played in three games but will compete for additional reps to fill Dykes' role
Wilson has been listed as the third tight end on the depth chart all season, and at 6-foot-7, 262 pounds, he has the size to be a match-up problem for opposing defenses.
"Those guys got a lot of work with Sean's early injury. He missed most of fall camp, so those guys have really come along," Norvell said. "We need them to take their game to another level."
Taylor, Claybrooks update
Norvell said running back Patrick Taylor and defensive back Chris Claybrooks are making improvements with their injuries, but no timeline has been
announced for their return.
Norvell told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday that Taylor, who has missed the previous three games, would start pushing to return this week or next week. On Monday, he confirmed Taylor was making progress as evidenced by him not wearing a walking boot during the team's win against Navy
"I like what I'm seeing from him, whether that's going to be available this week or maybe the next, that still will wait to be seen," Norvell said.
Claybrooks has yet to play this season after an injury from preseason camp, and Norvell was equally optimistic about his progress. Claybrooks was in a walking boot during the team's win against Ole Miss, but in the Tigers' past three games, he has not worn one on the sidelines.
You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_b) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com