Kyron Drones injury update: Brent Pry addresses severity for Virginia Tech QB

The Virginia Tech Hokies were without starting quarterback Kyron Drones for their loss to Syracuse after he missed the game with an injury.

Following the game, head coach Brent Pry addressed the severity of the injury, calling it a day-to-day, issue. However, he also made it clear that he didn’t have the intention of talking extensively about the injury.

“We’ll see,” Brent Pry said. “It’s day-to-day. I’m not going to talk about that.”

In place of Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech started Collin Schlee. A transfer who spent time at Kent State and UCLA, Schlee is a fifth-year senior and comes with more experience than most backup quarterbacks. He was solid for the Hokies, completing 16 of 24 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 54 yards and another touchdown. Still, that wasn’t enough to overcome Syracuse in overtime.

The news that Drones wouldn’t be able to play came as a bit of a surprise and wasn’t reported until immediately before the game.

At halftime of the loss to Syracuse, Brent Pry shared what he had seen from Collin Schlee.

“Yeah, I thought he’s played the game well. I thought he’s played fast. We’ve operated the offense,” Brent Pry said. “One throw he’d probably like back, but he’s done a nice job. He’s made some plays and he’s managed the game.”

Beyond the injury to Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech was also without running back Bhayshul Tuten. One of the team’s best offensive weapons all season long has been Tuten and while he did dress for the game, he did not actually play in it for the Hokies.

With the loss, Virginia Tech fell to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in ACC play this season. With three games left and six teams ahead of the Hokies in the standings, including two unbeaten teams, it seems like making the ACC Championships Game could be out of reach. However, getting to a bowl game is just one win away. If they were to make a bowl, then it would be the second in as many seasons for Virginia Tech.

On top of that, after going 7-6 last season, including a bowl win, improving on that record is still a possibility. To do that, it would certainly be helpful to be as healthy as possible moving forward. That means getting Kyron Drones and Bhayshul Tuten back in the backfield ahead of next week’s game against the Clemson Tigers.