Rob Hankins is out of the opener because of a concussion. Photo by Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez doesn’t want to have to answer questions about injuries in interview sessions Monday through Wednesday, so he offers an NFL-style injury report on Thursday.
The injury report for Saturday’s home game vs. Toledo (7:30 p.m., Arizona Stadium, ESPNU), highlights the depth problem at linebacker.
Sophomore Hank Hobson, who would be a starter if healthy, is questionable because of a shoulder injury. A trio of linebackers is out: Sophomore Rob Hankins (concussion), true freshman Dakota Conwell (foot) and senior Greg Nwoko (hip).
Hankins, who missed almost all of preseason practice, was a potential starter at middle linebacker. Conwell hasn’t had much of a chance to make an impression. Nwoko was moved from running back to help with depth … and promptly suffered the hip injury.
Linebacker was the team’s thinnest position, even before all the injuries. That’s why safety Marquis Flowers was moved to outside linebacker last season.
No player was listed under “probable” or “doubtful” on the injury report.
Other players considered out are backup center/guard Addison Bachman, potential starting defensive end Dan Pettinato, tight end Drew Robinson and backup offensive lineman Trent Spurgeon.
Out with season-long injuries are safety Adam Hall (ACL) and offensive tackle Jacob Arzouman (ACL).