Oregon State Practice And Depth Chart A Patchwork Mess

Oregon State returned to practice today, for the first time after the disaster at California, and released the depth chart for this week's final home game of the season against Washington. Both revealed that the damage done by the Bears extended well beyond the 54-24 rout the Beavers suffered, as the 2 deep for the Huskies is a patchwork mess to say the least, as a result of the mounting injury problem that got a lot worse in the death march through Strawberry Canyon.

With Seth Collins now officially out for the season, and possibly looking at [relatively] minor surgery to clean up the knee he hyper-extended, it was good news that Nick Mitchell, who was knocked out of the California game with a concussion, was able to return to practice, though he wore a red no-contact jersey. Mitchell is probable for Saturday's Senior Day game against the Huskies, but Washington has one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, and Mitchell might not be able to hold up to what could be a pretty physical Husky assault.

The offensive line experiment that moved Isaac Seumalo to left tackle is apparently over though, as Will Hopkins is listed there this week as the starter, with Seumalo back at right guard, and Fred Lauina back at left guard. The reason is Drew Clarkson is out.

RBs Ryan Nall is listed as probable, but does not appear on the depth chart, and Chris Brown is questionable, with Paul Lucas again the running back to back up Storm Barrs-Woods.

And punt returner and wide receiver Rahmel Dockery, who hobbled out of the California game, is doubtful for Washington as well. Drew Kell could see action at WR as a result.

Defensively, the Beavers will be without Jalen Grimble, and defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake has moved Kyle Peko out to DE from the NG spot this week for his final home game, with Summer Houston slated to start in the middle. That could be a fluid situation as the game goes along, though.

The depth chart also revealed that the Beavers are likely going to go primarily with a 3-3-5 alignment this week.

That puts a lot of strain on the secondary group that's arguably been the most beat up of all units on the team.

Safeties Justin Strong, who missed the California game, and Devin Chappell, who was knocked out of the California game in the early going, both were in uniform at practice today, but were limited. Both are questionable for Saturday, and neither are on the 2 deep.

And Senior CB Larry Scott apparently won't be able to play in his final home game either. Scott did not practice today. CB Dwayne Williams is also questionable, so Treston Decoud and Kendall Hill are this week's starters on the corners, with safety Cyril Noland-Lewis now the backup.

Gabe Ovgard and Brandon Arnold will likely get the starts at safety, with Naji Patrick likely the only senior who will play in the secondary. Malik Gilmore makes his first appearance on the defensive depth chart as Patrick's backup.

Be sure to keep that roster handy; your likely to see some unfamiliar numbers before Saturday is over.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com