FanPost

Mid-week Manpower Update

Mid-week in their preparations for Washington, Oregon St. has some key players in various states of availability, or the lack thereof.

With James Rodgers out for the season due to his knee injury, swelling in Markus Wheaton's left knee is not something Oregon St. coach Mike Riley, or the rest of Beaver Nation, needs to see. However, Riley indicated it wasn't a huge concern yet, and said it was too early to scratch Wheaton from kickoff return duty against the Huskies.

Tight end Brady Camp won’t play for the second week due to a lower back problem, but Riley was hopeful after practice about a pair of starting offensive linemen. Center Alex Linnenkohl has been nursing a sore ankle, and left guard Grant Johnson's neck has been bothering him. Riley said he hopes both feel better Thursday.

And speaking of James Rodgers, who has become an "unofficial" assistant coach, is just that in the NCAA's way of counting, meaning that though he is out for the season, he's still a player, and the Pac-10 has a limit of 70 players that can travel to conference road games (exclusive of the 'rivalry' games).

Riley noted he would love to take James Rodgers on every road trip because of his emotional impact on the team, but doesn’t want to exclude a player who might get into the game. Riley hasn't decided yet whether James will be making the trip to Seattle.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Building the Dam staff. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon State fans.