Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3 SEC) is coming off a loss that may stick in every coach and player’s mind for quite some time, falling to the 10th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels 38-35 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
While the blame game continues to point towards the top, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher knows that his seat is burning up week after week as the losses pile up, and even worse, mediocrity sets in for a program littered with resources to contend at the highest level.
On Monday, Fisher spoke to the media to further reflect on the loss and, more importantly, provide several injury updates about quarterback Max Johnson, running back Le’Veon Moss, cornerback Tony Grimes, and right tackle Reuben Fatheree II.
After initially stating that Johnson would practice and likely start against Mississippi State, Fisher later confirmed just that on Wednesday, as the veteran southpaw is poised to make his 6th start of the season but will likely be in some manageable pain.
“Yeah. He’s practicing. They’re at practice and doing what we need to do.”
Still, nothing is set in stone until we see him on the field. As for running back Le’Veon Moss, his lower body injury was much less severe than anticipated, and he is also likely to play on Saturday, barring any last-minute changes. As I reported on Monday, starting cornerbacks Tyreek Chappell and Deuce Harmon, who surprisingly missed the Ole Miss game with late injuries, were, and remain, on track to return this weekend.
Still questionable to play, star wide receiver Evan Stewart’s status has been kept quiet throughout the week, and just Max Johnson, until we see him in pads just minutes before Saturday’s kick-off, he remains in unknown territory.
Also covered earlier this week, former North Carolina transfer cornerback Tony Grimes, who has not seen the field this season, will continue to rehab and prepare for 2024, as fans were informed that he has two seasons of eligibility left due to the 2020 Covid season. Lastly, right tackle Reuben Fatheree II is still in the process of gaining back his strength, but it remains a long shot that he will see playing time with only three regular-season games left.
For Mississippi State, starting quarterback Will Rogers, who has been sidelined for several weeks due to an arm injury, is listed as “day-to-day” with a shot to play against the Aggies.
Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ESPN2.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.