Updates on FSU defensive end Josh Sweat’s injured knee

Update 9/16 afternoon:

The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that Sweat arrived and is with the team in Louisville.

Update 9/16 am: Josh Sweat’s father told Noles247 that Sweat will make the trip to Louisville Friday, but his playing status is “wait and see.” Sources did not believe Sweat was scheduled for an MRI, perhaps a positive sign that the injury is not serious. (See above: while an MRI might not have been required for a non-serious injury, Jimbo Fisher told ESPN FSU did do one). They confirmed 247’s report from his father that Sweat received treatment Thursday night.

Original

The Florida State football program has been significantly affected by injuries early and often in the 2016 season, and as it prepares to face the country’s top scoring offense in Louisville, it could be down another important defender.

First came the news about safety Derwin James; and now according to multiple sources the ‘Noles could miss a key cog up front, as starting defensive end Josh Sweat did not make the team flight to the Derby City Thursday night due to a knee injury suffered in practice.

The severity of the knee injury is unknown, and Jimbo Fisher did not mention Sweat in his post-practice injury report. It’s possible Fisher did not know that Sweat would miss the flight since his post-practice press conference was so shortly after practice. It is also not known if Sweat will be able to make the trip Friday or perhaps Saturday morning.

Backup plans

Sweat, a stout run-stopper, had two sacks and five tackles for loss last year, as part of his 41 total tackles. He’d yet to record a sack this season and had just one TFL. Fortunately for FSU, the depth behind Sweat has impressed so far in 2016. His backup is listed as either junior Jacob Pugh or freshman Brian Burns.

Pugh looks to have turned a big corner in his third year after battling injuries in 2015. And Burns got plenty of playing time against Charleston Southern, leading the team in tackles with five, including a pair of sacks and three tackles for loss. Another option for the ‘Noles could be trying mobile defensive tackle Wally Aime on the outside. Regardless of who gets reps on the edge for FSU, it will be interesting to see how this affects the Seminoles’ ability to get to UL QB Lamar Jackson, which I addressed earlier in the week.