NC State HC Dave Doeren provides injury updates on Savion Jackson, Rakeim Ashford, Lyndon Cooper
NC State head coach Dave Doeren discussed several injury updates during his weekly Monday afternoon press conference. The Pack played without two crucial linemen during its season-opening win over UConn, and safety Rakeim Ashford left the game on a stretcher following an injury that occurred on a late hit during a Wolfpack kickoff return.
Doeren confirmed that the NC State graduate student is doing well, but he will not play this weekend. Ashford could return this season, however.
“They kept him there to do all the tests, and every one of them came back the way you would want, so he’s back with us,” Doeren said Monday. “He will not play this week. He’s going to need at least a week, probably, to shake that one off.
“I would equate that to a whiplash-type thing. He’s pretty sore, and he’s just got to get the soreness out and get him back to who he was. He’ll play again and all that, just don’t know how long it’s going to take. … He came out of it as good as it could have been. It was a disappointing act that took place there, and I’m just thankful that he’s OK.”
During the UConn game, a Wolfpack athletic department spokesperson told TheWolfpacker.com that Ashford had feeling in his extremities while on the sideline. Paramedics then transported him to a local hospital where tests came back normal, and he returned to Raleigh on Sept. 1.
NC State super senior defensive lineman Savion Jackson and redshirt sophomore offensive guard Lyndon Cooper did not play in the Week 1 contest. Jackson went through initial warmups but did not suit up in pads. Cooper did go through complete warmups in pads but did not play in the game.
The Wolfpack depth chart now lists the offensive lineman with an “OR” between Cooper and Week 1 starter Anthony Carter Jr., a fourth-year redshirt sophomore. Cooper was not on the depth chart for the UConn contest. Jackson is still listed as the starter at right defensive end.
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Doeren said that he is not trying to deceive anyone with the two deep, and the two NC State linemen should return to game action Saturday barring any setbacks.
“They’re on the depth chart for a reason,” Doeren said. “Lyndon is back. He practiced [Sunday], so excited that he’s back with us, and Savion should be full go. We’re just going through the protocol with these guys, and I put them on there for a reason, not trying to be tricky.”
NC State recorded 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks against UConn. A healthy defensive front with Jackson as one of its leaders will be very important against a talented Notre Dame offensive line.
“It’s one of those games in the box where it’s going to be a game of will in there,” Doeren said.
“Having a guy like Savion helps because he is a really, really good player, and he adds to what we have in that box. So, hopefully, we will have him. That’s the plan and looking forward to seeing him back out there.”
