Braxton Miller’s season-ending shoulder injury has the potential to shake up the national title race, leaving a loaded Ohio State team without one of the country’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
While Miller’s injury has drawn the most attention this preseason, the Buckeyes aren’t the only ones trying to replace a key player who went down with an injury.
These teams also have been stung by the injury bug in a big way.
No. 6 Auburn Tigers
The defending Southeastern Conference champions lost two key linemen before camp even started:
On defense, end Carl Lawson, the team’s best returning outside pass rusher, had knee surgery in May. The Tigers haven’t ruled out his return.
On offense, the loss of guard Alex Kozan (back surgery) for the season leaves the Tigers’ powerful running game without one of its best blockers.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils will be defending their Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division title without two key players:
Linebacker Kelby Brown went down with a left knee injury during Duke’s first preseason scrimmage. Brown made 114 tackles and had two interceptions last season.
A few days later, the Blue Devils lost tight end Braxton Deaver, who had 46 catches last season, to another knee injury.
Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks’ chances for a turnaround in Year 3 under head coach Charlie Weis took a major hit in about a 24-hour span earlier this month. Tailbacks Brandon Bourbon (knee) and Taylor Cox (Achilles), who occupied the top two spots on the depth chart, both are finished for the season.
Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals will enter the ACC without their most accomplished playmaker:Receiver Devante Parker broke his foot at practice late last week and is expected to miss at least six weeks. Parker set a school record with 12 touchdown catches last season and has first-round draft pick talent.
Louisville is deep at receiver, but it would have been nice to have Parker around while breaking in Will Gardner, its new starting quarterback.
No. 22 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Early in camp, the Cornhuskers seemed to be on about an injury-a-day clip. The worst hits came on the defensive side, where both nickel back Charles Jackson and linebacker Michael Rose are out with season-ending knee injuries.
The Huskers also lost tailback Adam Taylor to a broken ankle, which eats into their depth behind star Ameer Abdullah.
The losses on defense are compounded by the season-long suspension of safety LeRoy Alexander and the departure of defensive tackle Aaron Curry, who transferred.
No. 3 Oregon Ducks
The Ducks’ offensive line took a hit when left tackle Tyler Johnstone re-tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during practice. The first injury happened during last season’s Alamo Bowl victory against Texas. Johnstone is out for the season, leaving the Ducks vulnerable on Marcus Mariota’s blind side.
The loss of Johnstone comes on top of the injury to receiver Bralon Addison, who went down with a knee injury in the spring. Addison hopes to play this season.
H H H
Clemson lost top returning rusher Zac Brooks for the season with a foot injury, and Mississippi State lost Damien Robinson, its projected starting right tackle to a knee injury.
