Left tackle Xavier Chaplin and running back Bhayshul Tuten are two of the most prominent players on Virginia Tech’s football squad. Fans instantly feared the worst when Chaplin and Tuten exited the field in the second half of last week’s victory over Georgia Tech.
Of course, it didn’t help that Tuten was seen wearing a boot about town. Even though athletes wore boots after any injury, major or minor, everyone anticipated the worse because it was Virginia Tech.
Relax.
Brent Pry, the head coach, talked to the media on Tuesday and provided an encouraging report on both players. While Pry is notoriously — and wisely — tight-lipped about injuries, he is optimistic about both participating this weekend in a big game at Syracuse.
“Last I checked, Jaylin didn’t have a medical degree,” Pry joked when asked about senior wide receiver Jaylin Lane’s remarks about Tuten on the ACC Network on Monday, in which he said the running back was fine and a drama queen.
“So, I think Bhayshul is probable right now,” Pry told reporters. “Again, I won’t know much until today or tomorrow to feel better about it. He is tough. I believe we all understand this. It was a significant injury that, obviously, we are concerned about. I’m similar to J-Lane, not in the dramatic sense as Bhayshul, but in that he’s tough. If he’s [Bhayshul] got an opportunity to play, he will.”
Then Pry was asked about his left tackle.
“Yeah, he’s got the shoulder that’s kind of been ongoing for a little bit,” Pry said of Chaplin He got leg whipped, got kind of a minor bone bruise, but I’d say Xavier is probable also. He’s a tough guy.”
Given what could have happened, this is fantastic news for the Hokies. It appears like the Hokies will have two of their finest players for Saturday’s game at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange are 5-2 this season, including a 2-2 record in ACC play. And, while not recent, Virginia Tech’s history in that dome isn’t particularly impressive.
The Hokies have won three straight and will face Clemson next week. However, if Tech fails to beat Syracuse this weekend, the game versus the Tigers will mean much less.
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