There is always a cloud of uncertainty when it comes to the health of football players. The hits big and small add up, and nearly no one is 100% healthy after week one of a season.
Generally the dings are just minor, and players suit up at something resembling closer to 90%.
For Cal Poly Football, the dings have been much more than minor, and the injury bug has struck the quarterback room particularly hard ahead of their conference opener against Sacramento State.
Usual starter Ty Dieffenbach left early in the first quarter against Stephen F. Austin and did not return in the 35-17 loss on the road.
Cal Poly’s other frequently played quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. didn’t appear in that game either, as he has been dealing with a toe injury.
Instead it was Jackson Akins and later Bo Kelly who stood under center, and neither ultimately could gain enough traction to get the Mustangs back in the game.
It is unclear if either Dieffenbach or Grigsby will be ready for Saturday’s contest. Dieffenbach was not in pads or a helmet in practice Wednesday while Grigsby did participate.
If neither can go, that means either Akins or Kelly would draw the starting assignment. Both have been capable QBs in their short time on the field, but not at the level of either of the other two quarterbacks.
“It’s the next man up,” head coach Paul Wulff said. “We have a lot of guys down right now, a lot more than anyone would care to have across the board.”
On the other side of the football, defensive lineman Ethan Rodriguez did not play against Stephen F. Austin after injuring his shoulder in the home opener against Western Oregon.
His status is also up in the air according to Wulff.
Rodriguez would be a welcome addition back on the field as Cal Poly gears up to face the go-oo offensive scheme of Sacramento State.
Hornets head coach Brennan Marion used the unique offense to great effect as offensive coordinator at UNLV, relying on a heavy dose of deep throws down the field.
Quarterbacks Cardell Williams and Jaden Rashada have both led the high-octane Hornet offense, a similar situation to Cal Poly’s early season QB situation.
Cal Poly opens Big Sky play against No. 21 Sacramento State Saturday, Sept. 27 at Hornet Stadium at 6 p.m.
