Ole Miss suffers a few key injuries to players on the offensive side of the ball
OXFORD, Miss. — A few key injuries are starting to mount up for the Rebels on the offensive side of the ball.
Following wide receiver Jonathan Mingo’s injury last week that kept him out of the game against Alabama, left guard Caleb Warren suffered an ankle injury this week that required surgery.
South Carolina transfer Jordan Rhodes or Cedric Melton will likely be the ones to get their number called to replace Warren for the time being. Warren is expected to be to play by the end of the month, according to a report from David Johnson at Rebels247.
And in the ‘when it rains, it pours’ category, our sources indicate that running back Jerrion Ealy is in concussion protocol and is “questionable” for the game against Arkansas.
Jerrion Ealy is believed to have suffered a concussion in the Alabama game. He is “questionable” for the game with Arkansas. (Photo: Dan Anderson, The Rebel Walk)
Mingo suffered a foot injury in the week of practice leading up to the Alabama game, and his absence was one that proved to be costly in the 42-21 loss in Tuscaloosa as the Ole Miss offense struggled to get much of anything going.
That being said, wide receivers Jadon Jackson and Dannis Jackson — who had little lead time to prepare for action against Alabama — are the next guys in line who will help fill the shoes of Mingo.
Senior Braylon Sanders is working to help the younger players prepare.
“As a leader, you just try to teach them the ropes and the ins and outs of everything, helping them get in the playbook more, helping them on and off the field. This week will be big for us and those young guys to come along.“
Wide receiver Braylon Sanders
Sanders, too, looks for his role to grow larger. “Just take what they give us,” he said on his focus right now. “Don’t always try to make the big play. When the stops are there, just hit the stops. The run game will be there, so we’ll do what it takes to be 1-0 this week,” he explained.
Ridiculous grab by Braylon Sanders‼️🤚 pic.twitter.com/DIqwaYMFSi
— Receiver School (@ReceiverSchool) October 2, 2021
The Rebels will need added depth at the receiver position as Sanders has played 84% of the offensive snaps this season. In the high-tempo offense Ole Miss runs, the high number of snap counts in a game can wear down a receiver over the course of a game and even a whole season.
Sanders, however, isn’t worried about that.
“You get tired, here and there. In the end, you just want to be out there for your teammates and your brothers. You’re going to give everything you’ve got each and every play.“
Braylon Sanders
Another name that comes to mind when thinking about depth at the receiver position is that of John Rhys Plumlee. With the phenomenal play of slot receiver Dontario Drummond, it has been tougher for Plumlee to get much playing time as head coach Lane Kiffin explained earlier this week.
“It’s tough to be in (those two) positions and you’re backing up Drummond, one of our best players, so it’s not ideal for him. He was backing up one of the best quarterbacks in the country and now is backing up one of the best slots. So, not ideal for him.”
Lane Kiffin on JRP playing time
Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk and we’ll bring you injury updates as they are available.
Next Up:
Ole Miss and Arkansas kick off at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
