Elijah Roberts injury update: SMU 'optimistic' star defender will play vs. Boston College
SMU star defensive end Elijah Roberts sustained a hand injury against Pitt and the coaching staff is still figuring out what his usage will look like against Boston College.
Defensive coordinator Scott Symons met with the media Wednesday and said the staff is “optimistic” about his availability for the Nov. 16 matchup.
“I think for this next game, I think that’s a conversation (around restrictions) that we’ve had and will have to see where he’s at come next week. Hopefully, get him ready to go,” Symons said Wednesday. “I think after that then I think it’ll be a little more positive for us talking to the trainers as far as the lack of restriction. That’s something we’re going to have to monitor is my point, but I think we’ll see where he’s at next week, but we feel optimistic he’s going to play in this game. We’ll take it day by day.”
Elijah Roberts told On3 on Monday that he won’t let a broken hand stop him from playing, but team doctors will also play a role in deciding what’s best for him. As a key for SMU’s defense, his long-term availability is more important for the team.
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“I don’t need five fingers to play anyway,” Roberts said on the Walking ‘Strong Podcast. “Happened after I came out. I didn’t know I broke it. I thought my finger was jammed or something then I took my glove off and I looked it and said, aw snap.”
Last week, Roberts totaled a tackle and three more pressures, to continue his elite pace of rushing the quarterback this season. He’s No. 1 in pressures in college football this season with 44 on his resume.
The Mustangs take on Boston College on Nov. 16 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. SMU’s No. 13 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings and currently on pace to land an ACC Championship game berth against Miami.
