Projected starters Nyland Green, CJ Smith out for Purdue opener
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Purdue’s season opener isn’t until Aug. 31 vs. Indiana State, but it already knows it will be without two projected starters: CB Nyland Green and WR CJ Smith.
Ryan Walters said after practice on Monday that Green is dealing with a foot injury, while Smith has a bum hamstring. Each transferred to Purdue from Georgia in the offseason. Green is thought to be the squad’s No. 1 corner, while Smith is the fastest player on the team.
“(Smith’s hamstring) is not as bad as we initially thought, and he has responded very well to treatment,” said Walters. “He’ll miss that first game. Luckily, we got a bye week (Sept. 7) after that and the goal is to get him back for Notre Dame (Sept. 14). That’s a very real possibility. But, bottom line is, we’re not going to bring him back until he’s ready.
“Nyland got his foot stepped on. He’s got a non-surgical injury to his foot, which is a blessing. It could have been a lot worse. He will miss that first game, but, again, we got a bye week. You can’t tell him that he’s questionable for Notre Dame. In his mind, he’s playing in that one.”
Purdue has had three players not practice at all in camp: WR Kam Brown, DL Joe Anderson and OL Rod Green.
“Kam Brown and Joe Anderson, both are coming off of minor operations from the spring and have been killing it in the rehab and I anticipate those guys being back within a week or two.”
Green, a JC transfer, had surgery on a labrum in the offseason and will miss the 2024 season. Brown transferred from UCLA. Anderson is expected to start on the d-line.
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“At first when the schedule came out, I was not happy that we had a bye that second week of the season,” said Walters. “And now I’m praising the Lord. … “
Other key players who were out today, and have been for a few practices:
• WR Jayden Dixon-Veal (MCL): “If we were playing, he’d be out here practicing. In today’s day and age, everybody’s kind of the same. Other than your obviously Ohio States, your Penn States and all that, they’ve got depth, right? So, to me, it’s how can you get guys as fresh and healthy as possible, maintain that health throughout the season, and it’s the fine balance of giving them the right amount of work to be prepared mentally and physically to go win a football game.”
He often has been running with the first team.
OT Corey Stewart (MCL): “Anticipate him being available Week One. He’s killing rehab and responding well to the time spent in the training room.”
He’s projected to start at left tackle after transferring from Ball State.
TE George Burheen: “He should be good in a couple days.”
He’s a rising talent behind starter Max Klare.
S Anthony Brown (hamstring): “Nothing serious. So, he’ll be ready to go by time of the first game.”
He backs up Dillon Thieneman and is a key special teams players.
