Injury bug hits Rams’ linebacker corps

Injuries continue to pile up for a Colorado State football team that has been forced to play short-handed more often than not in 2021.

Throughout Steve Addazio’s second campaign at CSU, the injury bug has seemingly singled out position groups one by one.

And the squad’s ongoing injury troubles developed a new layer in the Rams’ 31-17 loss to Wyoming on Saturday, as its linebacker corps hobbled away from War Memorial Stadium noticeably depleted.

“On defense, we had DB issues early in the year where we had no safeties,” Addazio said. “We kind of weathered the storm with that. That hurt us at the beginning of the season, and now we’re into this linebacker situation we’re into right now. We’re getting hit, and we have to find a way to overcome this right now.”

Despite not practicing ahead of the Border War, senior middle linebacker Dequan Jackson gave it a go against Wyoming. But the veteran’s day was short-lived, with Jackson limping through the opening possession before exiting the game for good.

Jackson’s departure sparked a rotational scramble that negatively affected CSU’S normally stout run defense — which gave up 385 rush yards vs. Wyoming without its team captain and tackle leader (75).

“We’ve had a chance to review everything, and on defense, our biggest issues were the obvious,” Addazio said Monday. “(Injuries) weren’t the only part of it, but they were certainly a big part of it.”

The injuries didn’t stop with Jackson, either. Shortly following his exit, Bam Amina –– Jackson’s initial replacement –– endured an injury CSU’S staff now views as potentially season-ending.

Then, sophomore Sanjay Strickland’s ailment forced CSU to throw sophomore Tavian Brown into the action at middle linebacker –– despite barely practicing since suffering an injury versus San Jose State on Oct. 9.

Jackson’s status remains murky with a game against Air Force looming, meaning Brown may once again have to play out of position.

Even if Jackson returns, given the unknowns surrounding Brown’s health, it’s safe to assume CSU will have to pull deeper off the bench than normal at the OLB slots.