Just when things were starting to look good for the Virginia Tech football team offensively, disaster struck on the Hokies opening drive against Purdue Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.
After the Boilermakers took the opening kickoff down the field for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead, the Hokies suffered a key injury on their opening drive when transfer wide receiver Ali Jennings was injured. He was blocking on a pass play when quarterback Grant Wells hit Jaylin Lane on the second play from scrimmage for 21 yards, but Jennings was rolled upon from behind and had to be helped off the field.
Jennings was blocking for Lane downfield on that reception and just got rolled up on. He's sitting over on the bench with trainers around him. Hasn't yet gone in the medical tent or side locker room. #Hokies
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 9, 2023
Despite the game being played in the rain, Jennings proved last week that he is a key addition to the passing game for Wells and Virginia Tech, and losing him for any amount of time would be a tough loss.
The game has 5:50 left in the first quarter and is currently in a weather delay. Prior to the delay, Jennings went to the locker room without putting any weight on his left ankle.
Ali Jennings getting helped to the locker room very slowly now. Still not putting any weight on that left foot and leg #Hokies
— The Tech Lunch Pail (@TechLunchPailD) September 9, 2023
During the weather delay, Jennings was carted off out of the locker room on a cart with his left foot in a boot.