Mike Norvell provides update on the timeline for returns of Fabien Lovett, Jackson West

Florida State will once again be without Fabien Lovett on Saturday. The Seminoles’ starting defensive tackle did not dress for the game against Wake Forest. Lovett, who also didn’t suit up against Louisville Sept. 16 or for last week’s game against Boston College, initially suffered the injury against LSU in Week 0 and hasn’t suited up since. He started nine games for Florida State last season and totaled 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in that time.

However, even with the extended absence, Florida State head coach Mike Norvell is confident he will return at some point this season.

“You know, both those guys, fully anticipating to be back, will be back here this year,” Norvell said at his Monday press conference of Lovett and tight end Jackson West (more on West in a minute). Norvell also added that “Fabien is doing a really good job with his rehab, and we’ll see as things go.”

So the difference-making D-lineman should be back for the Seminoles at some point.

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As mentioned, Norvell also updated Jackson West’s injury, which has sidelined the sophomore tight end of the entire season. West hadn’t even been present on the sidelines during Florida State’s games until the most recent one vs. Wake Forest, where he appeared but was on crutches. Nonetheless, Mike Norvell is confident in a return for West and perhaps soon.

“You know, Jackson, his availability — here in the next week or so, you know, I will probably get a better sense of that. But you know, both those guys are coming along and excited to be able to get them back out there soon.”

A pair of positive injury updates from the head coach ahead of another full week of practice. And while the Seminoles are down a couple guys and reeling after a 10-point loss at home to Wake Forest, their schedule gets nary a bit easier. This weekend, FSU heads to NC State for an 8 p.m. kickoff vs. the Wolfpack.

The ‘Noles started out hot, and even cracked the top-25 last week. But Mike Norvell’s squad has a gauntlet of a schedule and is starting to feel the heat.