Michigan State's Brian Lewerke can't wait for all the injuries to stop
EAST LANSING — As Michigan State wide receiver Felton Davis III attempted to accelerate when the ball was snapped, he crumpled down immediately, grabbing at his left leg. After being looked at by trainers, he was carted off the field, head down late in the second quarter.
Davis didn’t return after halftime in MSU’s 21-7 loss to Michigan, and coach Mark Dantonio confirmed after the game that the senior tore his Achilles tendon in his left leg. Just a week after his heroics against Penn State, Davis’ season and college career came to an abrupt end.
“He’ll bounce back and have a successful pro career, I understand that and know that,” Dantonio said.
Davis is just the latest casualty in an injury-riddled wide receiving corps. Starter Cody White (broken hand) missed another game, and both C.J. Hayes and Laress Nelson didn’t dress on Saturday. Fortunately for the Spartans, they returned a slew of wideouts on Saturday, including starter Darrell Stewart Jr., along with Cam Chambers and Jalen Nailor.
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“We’ve had quite a few injuries to wide receivers,” Dantonio said. “You have to deal with them. That’s part of the game, everybody’s playing.”
With Davis’ injury, Stewart takes on more of a leadership role. But even Stewart missed time, not making the trip to Penn State the week before.
“We’re more than friends, he’s a brother,” Stewart said of Davis. “The one thing about Felton is that he’s a very encouraging person, he’s never a down type of person. He’s always had a lot of energy. He’s telling me I just got to lead the group now and just coming out and balling next week.”
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Injuries have been an issue for the Spartans all year and extended to other positional groups Saturday. Quarterback Brian Lewerke has been dealing with a shoulder injury and didn’t practice all week. He finished the game 5-for-25 passing for 66 yards. Center Matt Allen had to be helped off the field, adding to the count.
There were even moments when MSU put Justin Layne at wide receiver. The former wide-receiver-turned-cornerback was forced to play his old position after so many of his teammates went down.
“I’m just waiting for it to stop, honestly,” Lewerke said of the injuries. “Love to have all the guys out there that we had at the beginning of the season, obviously. But injuries happen and we just have to get the next man up.”
Stewart said the Spartans will return to review film and see how they’ll adjust going forward. And just like with the numerous other injuries that have hit the Spartans, the next man up mentality will determine how the wideouts adjust.
“But at the end of the day, we have a lot of guys that can step up and play,” Stewart said. “Not even looking at what happened today, I know that come when we get back in the lab next week, that’s it’s going to be a way better week.”