Air Force linebackers can't avoid injuries
An Air Force program that stayed fairly healthy in 2007 and 2008 has had to deal with more injuries this season.
And its linebacker corps has been hit hardest.
Junior inside linebacker Ken Lamendola is out for the season with a knee injury, and Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said Sunday night the Falcons will be without junior outside linebacker Patrick Hennessey for the remainder of the season because of a torn labrum.
In addition, junior outside linebacker Andre Morris Jr. will miss at least three days of practice after suffering what Calhoun called a mild concussion in the Falcons’ 20-17 loss to TCU on Saturday night.
As for whether Morris could play this Saturday against Wyoming, Calhoun said, “I’d say it’s up in the air.”
If Morris does not play, Air Force will use a pair of freshmen at its outside linebacker spots in its base defense — Alex Means and Wale Lawal Jr. Means has started three games this season, including the last two, while Lawal played, according to Calhoun, about 18 snaps against TCU after Morris left the game.
Lawal did not have to play more because Air Force’s defense used more nickel (five defensive backs) and dime (six defensive backs) sets against TCU. The Falcons likely will have to do the same Saturday against Wyoming’s spread offense.
Calhoun did not name a starting quarterback Sunday night. Sophomore Connor Dietz made his second career start against TCU in place of sophomore Tim Jefferson, who still is bothered by his sprained right ankle.
