Initial injury reports ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 2 matchup vs. McNeese State

Here is Texas A&M’s initial injury report ahead of facing McNeese State, barring any last minute changes

Texas A&M’s Week 2 home matchup vs. McNeese State represents an opportunity for the Aggie offense to find some life after scoring only 13 points in the season opener 23-13 loss to Notre Dame, starting with vast improvement from starting quarterback Conner Weigman.

During Saturday’s game, several Aggies across the roster dealt with injury issues, especially on the offensive line, as head coach Mike Elko reported on Monday that junior center Mark Nabou, who started against Notre Dame, sustained a season-ending lower-body injury.

“I’ll give you one injury report Mark Nabou unfortunately is going to be out for the rest of the year”

He didn’t get into the specifics, but he confirmed it was a lower leg injury.

” lower leg deal that’s all I’ll say in regards to that. yeah it’s an impact because Mark’s a really good football player but it’s football and injuries happen and the next guy’s got to play.”

Outside of Nabou, starting right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams sustained a minor injury, but is okay to go this weekend after the Week 2 depth chart revealed that he is back in the lineup.

On Wednesday, during his weekly SEC Teleconference, Mike Elko noted that former Troy WR Jabre Barber is slowly but surely progressing and could be back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

Texas A&M will host McNeese on Saturday, Sept. 7, for an early kickoff at 11:45 a.m. The game will air on the SEC Network.

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Texas A&M starting center Mark Nabou will miss the remainder of the season

Texas A&M has reportedly lost starting center Mark Nabou for the year

Unfortunately, on Saturday night, Texas A&M had more than one loss on the field after the season opener against Notre Dame ended in a 23-13 win for the visitors. During the Monday press conference, head coach Mike Elko reported that his starting center, Mark Nabou, would miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a lower leg injury during the game.

“I’ll give you one injury report Mark Nabou unfortunately is going to be out for the rest of the year”

He didn’t get into the specifics he confirmed that it was a lower leg injury.

” lower leg deal that’s all I’ll say in regards to that. yeah it’s an impact because Mark’s a really good football player but it’s football and injuries happen and the next guy’s got to play.”

The Aggies did a ton of work in the offseason to bring in some experience on the offensive line, and it appears to be transfer center Koli Faaiu. He graded out as the highest-graded A&M offensive player on Saturday with a 69.5.

https://twitter.com/On3sports/status/1830679215148032085

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Updated injury reports following Texas A&M’s loss to Notre Dame on Saturday

Here is the latest injury report after Texas A&M’s 23-13 loss to Notre Dame

Texas A&M’s season-opening matchup vs. Notre Dame started and ended in a low-scoring contest. Tied 13-13 heading into the fourth quarter, Notre Dame pulled away late after several clutch throws from quarterback Riley Leonard, as the Irish escaped with a 23-13 win to open the season.

Throughout the night, defense reigned supreme, but minor injuries occurred throughout the game, mainly on Texas A&M’s side across the offensive and defensive lines. Being that this was the first game of the 2024 season for both squads, bumps, and bruises, especially concerning the lower body, happened early and often.

Texas A&M injury report:

In the first half of the game, Texas A&M center Mark Nabou, who started the game, went out briefly before returning but continued to sub in and out with backup center Kolinu’u Faaiu.

Staying on the O-line, starting right guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams also went out of the game early with a lower-body injury. It did not return, as head coach Mike Elko and O-line coach Adam Cushing went with sophomore TJ Shanahan as his replacement.

On the defensive line, junior defensive end Nic Scourton was down in the first half after sustaining a lower-body injury and left for the injury tent to take a movement test, and was deemed healthy enough to return but looked slower throughout the night.

Notre Dame injury report:

Coming into the game, two freshmen safeties, Taebron Bennie Powell (our for the season) and Tae Johnson (who will miss half the season), were announced, while freshman offensive lineman Styles Prescod will miss the rest of the season.

During the game, Notre Dame stayed relatively healthy outside of cramps, as both teams continued to deal with the heat and humidity all night.

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‘That group has come a long way’ Mike Elko is confident in Texas A&M’s O-line

Mike Elko continues to exhibit confidence in Texas A&M’s offensive line ahead of the season opener

Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame is now just one day away, as Mike Elko knows that starting his Aggie head coaching career off with a victory could change the trajectory for a program clearly on the rise.

When evaluating A&M’s roster, which boasts experience at every level coupled with 4—and 5-star recruiting talent, the offensive line has continued to garner questions after last season’s underwhelming performance, as former O-line coach Steve Addazio deserves much of the blame for the lack of development.

This offseason, Elko brought in respected veteran assistant coach Adam Cushing. Cushing coached Duke’s O-line during Elko’s final two seasons with the program. He brought a noted development-based pedigree from his time at Duke and Northwestern, producing several first-round NFL draft picks.

During fall camp, A&M’s offensive line made significant progress, including former Kansas standout guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams taking over at right guard. At the same time, sophomore Chase Bisontis has moved over to left guard, where he should thrive compared to his freshman performance at right tackle.

While all of us who cover the program have worried about the O-line’s status ahead of the opener, Elko, who was asked about the group this week during his appearance on the Aggie Football Hour, feels that these young men are ready to prove their worth as soon as the Aggies take the field.

“Alan and everybody on the planet wants to know the answer to that question!”

“That group has come a long way. They’ve heard the criticism, and they’re prideful kids. … They’re playing well together. They’re playing more physical.”

“They’re very excited to get out there and put that question to bed.”

Suppose this O-line hits the ground running and does not look back. In that case, Texas A&M’s running game and upgraded pass protection will provide OC Collin Klein plenty of room to work his magic in the run game and help starting quarterback Conner Weigman reach his enormous potential in the passing game.

No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ABC.

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Junior OT Trey Zuhn III featured in our Texas A&M Countdown to Kickoff

Trey Zuhn III is dripping with NFL potential

The countdown to Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener against Notre Dame is nearing single digits.

Ten days remain before the 7th-ranked Fighting Irish head to College Station for a primetime showdown. New Aggies head coach Mike Elko has completed the long journey to accepting the position, going through his first offseason, and finishing his first fall practice period with the team this month.

Aggies Wire will focus on one player daily for the next ten days, ranking the Top 10 players on the 2024 roster. Coming in at No. 4 on our list, starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III enters a pivotal year as the 6-7 and 315-pound blindside protector has a bright future ahead of him.

With the return of starting quarterback Conner Weigman, who missed the final eight games of the 2023 season due to injury, Zuhn’s importance in solidifying the left side of the line with sophomore OL Chase Bisontis officially moving to left guard is key to helping keep Weigman upright.

Starting 24 games in his Aggie career, Zuhn’s experience has provided new O-line coach Adam Cushing a lot to work with, as the starting center job is still up for grabs, as former Utah OL Kolinu’u Faaiu and sophomore Mark Nabou will continue battling this week.

Possessing solid footwork and hand placement, Zuhn can become a technician at one of the most important positions on offense. He has already received buzz as a rising NFL draft prospect if he ends up having the season many of us expect.

Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III (60) in action during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Already a proven pass protector, Zuhn’s run-blocking skillset isn’t talked about enough, as the junior should continue clearing the way for the Aggie backs under OC Collin Klein’s advanced scheme.

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Texas A&M’s O-line looks vastly different after recent practice

Several changes accross the offenisve line could be coming this fall

Amid the final week of Texas A&M’s fall practice period, progress on both sides of the ball continues. The 2024 season opener vs. Notre Dame is less than two weeks away, and it will also serve as head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season.

While the Aggies’ defense looks like the team’s predominant strength, it’s the offense that continues to take center stage. Led by starting quarterback Conner Weigman, the redshirt sophomore is counting on A&M’s offensive line to keep him upright throughout the season, which is quite the ask after this group’s performance last season.

With new O-line coach Adam Cushing attempting to build the best unit he can with pieces in front of him, the news that sophomore OL Chase Bisontis would move to guard full-time this season led to a shake-up in the trenches. After A&M’s 12th fall practice on Wednesday, GigEm247’s Carter Karels noticed an interesting change on the right side of the line.

In Texas A&M’s social media “sights and sounds” practice compilations, Karels responded on X to notice that sophomore Mark Nabou was starting at right guard. At the same time, former Kansas OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams surprisingly took reps at right tackle.

This fall, Nabou, who has competed for the starting center spot, possesses postion versatility at guard, so this isn’t a big surprise. Still, the fact that senior offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II wasn’t taking most of the reps at right tackle is somewhat surprising.

If both players take over on the right side, does this mean that Chase Bistontis could take over at left guard? Time will tell, but we will certainly continue to monitor this change.

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Texas A&M’s O-line is playing with much needed intensity during fall camp

Texas A&M’s offensive line is looking more confident and aggressive this fall

Suppose you can take anything away from the short practice clips many of us post from Texas A&M’s second week of fall practice. In that case, the offensive line, under a microscope after the unit’s poor performance during the 2023 season, has begun to practice with much-needed intensity.

Under new O-line coach Adam Cushing, new additions combined with sophomore OL Chase Bisontis’s move to guard after spending the entirety of the 2023 season at right tackle have already improved the line, while starting left tackle Trey Zuhn III’s reliability provides Cushing plenty to work with.

This week, thanks to GigEm247’s Carter Karels for the videos, several presumed starters, including Zuhn, Bisontis, and former Kansas guard Ar’maj Reed-Adams, are practicing with pure aggression on concentration while a one-on-one battle between Bisontis and Zuhn had Adam Cushing shouting in excitement.

Right now, this is how Texas A&M’s starting offensive line could shake out at the end of fall camp:

  • Left tackle: Trey Zuhn III
  • Left guard: Ar’maj Reed-Adams
  • Center: Mark Nabou
  • Right guard: Chase Bisontis
  • Right tackle: Reuben Fatheree II

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Mike Elko provides several key offensive line updates ahead to Texas A&M’s fall camp

Chase Bisontis is officially switching to guard

The 2024 season is just weeks away, and in just a month, Mike Elko’s inaugural season with Texas A&M will kick off the season against Notre Dame inside a packed Kyle Field on Saturday, August 31.

On Tuesday, Elko took questions from the local media in College Station to officially open up the fall practice schedule, and thanks to the journalists in the room, the former Duke head coach provided key updates regarding nearly every position group, including the offensive line.

Over the years, it has become a proven fact that every college football team’s offense is only as good as its O-line, providing the quarterback time to scan the field and holes in the running game to move the ball down the field. For Texas A&M, the trenches were a disaster during former HC Jimbo Fisher’s final season at the helm.

This offseason, new additions combined with nearly every 2023 starter returning gave O-line coach Adam Cushing plenty to work with. According to Elko, this group may not be a predominant strength, but they have steadily improved.

“From where we were to where we are, it would be hard to stand here in front of you and tell you it’s a strength. We’ve made a lot of strides and really improved.”

“It will be significantly better than it was in the spring.”

While left tackle Trey Zuhn III and, likely, former Kansas OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams will start at left tackle and left guard, respectfully, nearly every other position is still up for grabs, including the center position. Elko noted that while Mark Nabou and former Utah OL Kolinu’u Faaiu are the primary competitors, junior Kam Dewberry is reportedly in the mix.

According to Elko, sophomore Chase Bisontis will officially slide into guard after starting nearly every game at right tackle this season.

“Chase (Bisontis) has been a guard all the way. He has never left guard. We feel that’s the right spot for him.”

“He has been a guard since day one with us.”

Elko’s quote may worry some Aggie fans, but the truth is that improvement from where this group was last year should more than help Collin Klein’s offense thrive with Conner Weigman under center.

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Texas A&M OL Chase Bisontis’s position change has been announced

Chase Bisontis could be taking over at right guard this season

With the 2024 season inching closer, Texas A&M’s season opener vs. Notre Dame will pose as the primetime event on Saturday, August 31. This will also serve as Mike Elko’s inaugural matchup as the program’s newest head coach, who will begin fall practice with the team on Wednesday afternoon.

On Tuesday, Elko took questions from the local media in College Station to officially open the fall practice schedule. Thanks to the journalists in the room, the former Duke head coach provided key updates regarding nearly every position group, including Chase Bisontis’s new position across the offensive line.

While the center position battle is reportedly ongoing, Elko stated, in a semi-passionate fashion, that Bisontis has officially moved to guard and has reportedly been working at guard since Elko took over the program back in November.

“Chase (Bisontis) has been a guard all the way. He has never left guard. We feel that’s the right spot for him.”

“He has been a guard since day one with us.”

Standing at 6’6″ and 320 pounds, Bisontis was recently seen squatting 605 pounds for three reps, exhibiting the same elite strength that made him the No. 1-ranked 2023 prospect in New Jersey.

This move is a no-brainer with right tackle Reuben Fatheree II returning to the lineup, as Bisontis’s size and athleticism will make him an instant asset in the running game.

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Texas A&M’s sixth spring practice reveals new competition at center

During Texas A&M’s sixth spring practice, several returners and newcomers have continued to work out at the center spot.

Practice No. 6 for Texas A&M football took place on Tuesday, with most media members present. Outside of the health of presumed starting quarterback Conner Weigman, there’s plenty for Aggie fans to be excited about ahead of head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season.

One storyline that has received little attention thus far has been starting center Bryce Foster’s continued absence during the last two spring periods due to his responsibilities in track & field in the discus event.

While this is appropriate on its face, his lack of availability amid the coaching change, especially concerning getting to know new OL coach Adam Cushing from a scheme perspective and gaining symmetry in the trenches, is something to monitor. With plenty of competition already in the works, GigEm247’s Carter Karels noted the players who are already competing for the backup and possibly starting center spot.

Heading into his redshirt sophomore season, versatile guard Mark Nabou started at left guard for most of the 2023 season, including several starts at center due to Foster’s injury issues. He looked natural in both positions.

Karels also noted that transfer OL Darian Hinton and incoming redshirt freshman TJ Shanahan are also taking reps at center, at least providing adequate depth at one of the most critical positions connected to any quarterback’s lasting health.

Bryce Foster’s 2023 season was average at best, but that doesn’t mean he still doesn’t have what it takes to excel in the interior. However, perhaps the coaching staff should consider a potential change to guard due to his natural strength and size—something to consider.

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