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Jeff Lebby updates injuries of Kalvin Dinkins, Kelly Akharaiyi

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•09/02/24•

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kalvin dinkins2
Mississippi State DT Kalvin Dinkins (Photo by Jared Thomas, Maroon and White Daily)

Ahead of Saturday’s big non-conference matchup for Mississippi State at Arizona State, the Bulldogs are hopeful that there is some added depth in Tempe, Ariz.

State sophomore defensive tackle Kalvin Dinkins went down with a lower body injury in the second quarter of the ball game against Eastern Kentucky and didn’t return to the contest. While it initially didn’t look good for Dinkins, the coach was hopeful that he will return this weekend.  

“He’s doing a lot better (Monday) than he was (Sunday),” Lebby said of Dinkins. “He was a lot better (Sunday) than he was Saturday night. So right now, got a chance to travel with us and go play. I think it’s going to be a game-time decision for him.”

That’s certainly good news for a player that has been banged up for the last couple of seasons. After redshirting his first year on campus, Dinkins made three tackles in the season opener a year ago and then encountered a season-ending ankle injury.

Dinkins also missed the spring due to an injury but was making an impact on Saturday with two tackles and 1.0 sack before going down in the first half. With a line that is desperate for depth, his presence is needed.

Another player that fans are clamoring to see on the field this weekend is senior wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi. Having missed the last few weeks with an injury, Akharaiyi sat out for the season opener as a precaution.

As reported last week, Akharaiyi’s injury was not thought to be serious but the Bulldog coaches were waiting to get him firmly healthy before entering him back into the mix. He is a player that will be monitored throughout the week, according to Lebby.

“Kelly is getting closer and closer. We need to be patient with him,” Lebby said. “Hopeful for him to be able to have a good week and create some confidence for himself more than anything. But not ready to say he’s going to be available yet.”

Akharaiyi was one of the leading receivers in the Conference USA last year with over 1,000 yards at UTEP. He had seven touchdowns and was fifth in the country in yards per catch (21.5)

While last week the SEC implemented new protocols for reporting injuries publicly, the rule will not be put into action until SEC games begin. Lebby has been rather open in his reports the last two weeks as he told media ahead of the EKU game that Akharaiyi and safety Corey Ellington would be out for the game.

The coach also plans to abide closely with the rules that the conference has put in place when that begins.

“For us, that’s going to be the rule so that’s how we’re going to go play ball,” Lebby said. “We will comply, obviously, and we’ve got a great team that will put that in place and put the plan in action. We will start that once conference play starts.”

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