Ole Miss football hit hard by injury bug at QB, RB, and OL

Two days after taking their fifth loss on the chin, the Ole Miss Rebels Monday press conference was kicked off by an injury report that, if not for a bye week, would be absolutely decimating for a game week.

Friend of the site Neal McCready, publisher at RebelGrove.com, is reporting “a litany of injuries” at several positions.

• Jerrion Ealy (concussion)
• John Rhys Plumlee (knee)
• Ben Brown (ankle)
• Eli Johnson (turf toe)
• Michael Howard (shoulder)
• Scottie Phillips (knee)
• Bryce Mathews (back)
• Braylon Sanders (hamstring)

Per McCready, the above names were “either injured, couldn’t play, or irritated injuries against the Aggies. Luke said many of those players will miss practice during the open date but he expected them back for Auburn on Nov. 2.”

During today’s press conference, head coach Matt Luke told media that he expects the aforementioned injured players to be available in two weeks when the Rebels travel to Auburn for a 6pm game on ESPN.

Plumlee being out potentially for the game in two weeks isn’t as bad as it could be for other programs with redshirt freshman Matt Corral healthy. Ealy and Phillips being banged up isn’t that pressing since they will have the bye week to get better. If not, Snoop Conner and Isaiah Woullard would get the lion’s share of the carries.

The biggest concern with this news is on the offensive line. Starters Ben Brown and Eli Johnson along with back-ups Michael Howard and Bryce Mathews will desperately need to get better or Jack Bicknell’s group will be awfully thin in two weeks against Kevin Steele’s front seven.

This is certainly something to keep an eye on during the bye week and the following week of practice to see who is good to go, who is limited, and who is in street clothes on The Plains in a week.