Rutgers – and its depth – will be tested almost immediately.
The Scarlet Knights suffered a major injury blow towards the end of training camp when senior linebacker Mohamed Touré tore his ACL.
On Tuesday, coach Greg Schiano announced that Touré will miss the entire season, adding further concern for a defense awaiting the return of linebacker Tyreem Powell, who missed six games last season with a broken wrist and then tore his Achilles tendon after returning for winter practice in February.
While there were early signs that Powell could be ready to play in Rutgers’ season opener against Howard in nine days, Schiano said Tuesday that he won’t rush his linebacker. Powell has been practicing with the team in training camp, but it could be a few weeks before he returns.
“We’ll see what Tyreem can do. Like I said, I won’t rush into anything if he’s not ready,” Schiano said.
Toure and Powell should be the pillars of a veteran defense that consists primarily of four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs. Rutgers was in the top 20 in the country in total defense last season and should return 10 players with starting experience.
Last season, Powell led the team in tackles at the time of his injury, while Toure led the team in tackles for loss (9 1/2), sacks (4 1/2) and finished second in total tackles (93). Toure, a former star player at Pleasantville High, also missed the entire 2022 season after suffering the first ACL tear of his career.
“This hurts,” said running back Kyle Monangai. “It hurts a lot as a teammate, but also to see my brother go through this again. Mo is one of the strongest people I know, both physically and mentally, so I know he’s going to be OK in the end. I’ll be with him every step of the way, but like I said, it hurts to lose a guy like that.”
For his performances last season and what will likely be his final season, Toure was named to the Butkus Award watch list, an award given to the nation’s top linebacker. In addition, Powell was named to the watch list for the nation’s Comeback Player of the Year.
The injury concerns of two of its captains will certainly raise many questions as the season begins. Schiano noted that his team’s depth at linebacker is better than it was a season ago. With Powell limited in training camp and Toure out for some time before his ACL tear, Rutgers has eyed juniors Dariel Djabome and Moses Walker as first-team prospects.
Rutgers also got a boost from redshirt freshman Abram Wright and junior Timmy Hinspeter, a former walk-on from Don Bosco Prep.
“Thank God we have some good players in this position, but now it will certainly be more difficult.”
Rutgers’ game against Howard will take place on August 29th at 6 p.m. at SHI Stadium. The Scarlet Knights hope to improve on last year’s record (7-6) and are one of the surprise teams in the Big Ten.
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You can reach Patrick Lanni at [email protected].
