Florida State injury update

The Seminoles have certainly been bit by the injury bug of late, including afflictions suffered by several crucial players. I've received a lot of questions about particular players recently, so here's a quick update with some observations of injured players this week.

Dalvin Cook

You have to like the fact that Cook has practiced on Monday and Tuesday for the first time since hurting his hamstring against Wake Forest. Also, the injury brace he sported on his left ankle on Monday was gone yesterday, and Jimbo Fisher confirmed that he'd practice again on Wednesday. He's not taking first team reps, wasn't wearing shoulder pads yesterday, and doesn't look to be 100%, but Fisher maintains that the hammy is healed up completely and characterized him yesterday as being "right on schedule."

Terrance Smith

There also appears to be reason for optimism regarding the return of FSU's top linebacker. Although he's wearing a right ankle brace, it's not much of one, and Smith practiced on Monday and Tuesday, moving well. He was even doing some extra running after practice yesterday. It's also a good sign that Fisher said Smith participated in team drills, and not just the individual portion of practice. If Florida State knew he couldn't go, they'd probably be looking exclusively at other bodies in that spot.

Everett Golson

Head injuries, naturally, are trickier to observe-- we just know that Golson has been taking the second reps behind Sean Maguire, as he did last week, and that he's being evaluated by a doctor today.

Nile Lawrence-Stample

NLS also suffered a ding to the head, during the win over Syracuse. He has not been present at practice, and will also see a doctor today.

Derrick Kelly

I think you have to be skeptical about Kelly's return this week. He has not practiced, has a brace on his knee, and is walking with a limp.

Mario Pender

Again, don't get your hopes up. Although Fisher said Pender would participate in a non-contact capacity this week, we've yet to see him do so. Also, Fisher mentioned earlier that he's still trying to get his wind back-- which explains why he was running sprints in the IPF while the team practiced yesterday.

Lorenzo Featherston

Featherston was out on Monday, and yesterday wore lower-body pads but no shoulder pads or helmet while working out in a limited fashion.

Cole Minshew

The freshman lineman has struggled mightily with concussions this season, and continues to miss time.

Previously

Linebacker Matthew Thomas is ineligible and linebacker Tyrell Lyons, FSU's best coverage linebacker, tore his ACL. Trey Marshall, the starting star/nickel, is out for the year with a biceps injury. Starting safety Nate Andrews is still limited with a knee injury. Starting guard Kareem Are is still out of the starting lineup after suffering a knee injury. Center Ryan Hoefeld has also been out with a shoulder injury.