Arizona State Week 9 Injury Report: Kenny Dillingham Takes Jason Eck "Madden" Approach as Names Remain Questionable
A Madden analogy for injuries
Dillingham cited Eck, whose New Mexico team has also been dealing with injuries, after Eck explained a substitution decision during a win over North Dakota State. Eck compared an injured starter’s reduced ability in Madden with the value of using a healthier backup.
Eck said the game prompts a substitution when an injured player’s rating falls below that of the backup. Dillingham said he wanted to use Eck’s explanation without simply repeating it.
ASU weighs its options
Arizona State has three players listed as questionable and five as probable heading into the game. Dillingham mentioned “the Lyriks and different guys” on the team, as well as Mikey Keene, while discussing when players should play and when they are cleared and healthy.
The decision may involve choosing between a veteran presence whose condition is uncertain and less-proven players with more upside, including Jake Fette. The team’s choices are expected to depend on player health and availability.
BYU missing its leading back
BYU will be without star running back LJ Martin again, despite speculation he might return against Arizona State. Martin has not played since Oct. 3, when he suffered a lower-body injury against TCU.
The absence means the Sun Devils will not face BYU’s RB1, though the matchup remains a difficult task for Arizona State. The report said further updates on Fette, ASU’s quarterbacks and other injuries would be provided if they become available.
Key points
- Dillingham used Jason Eck’s Madden comparison to discuss injury-related lineup decisions.
- Arizona State lists three players as questionable and five as probable for Week 9.
- Mikey Keene and Jake Fette are among the names tied to ASU’s decisions.
- BYU running back LJ Martin remains out after a lower-body injury against TCU on Oct. 3.