Two weeks into the season, the Virginia Tech football team is dealing with injuries at one position where they can't really afford them: along the offensive line. Truth be told, they can't afford injuries anywhere, but along the offensive line is a tough area to have them pile up.
They lost Johnny Garrett in camp, and then in the season opener against VMI on Sept. 5, center Kyle Altuner was banged up. He didn't practice with the ones last week leading into the Old Dominion game, but was listed as the starter on the depth chart. He had a sleeve on his leg.
As it turned out, he was kept out of the game against Old Dominion as a precaution, which, in the overall big picture, was likely the right decision. However, all eyes are going to be on Saturday night's matchup against Maryland in College Park. After practice on Wednesday, first-year head coach James Franklin dropped an update that is positive.
James Franklin gives a notable injury update on Kyle Altuner
According to Andy Bitter of Tech SidelineAltuner practiced and didn't have a sleeve on his leg. Franklin confirmed after practice that he held him out of the ODU game as a precaution and is expected to be ready to go against the Terrapins.
James Franklin says he expects center Kyle Altuner to be good to go at Maryland on Saturday. Could have gone last week but VT held him out as a precaution. #Hokies
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 16, 2026
This is a rather big development for a football team going on the road for the first time into a true road environment against a power conference school. Under the lights, with a sold-out crowd expected, this is going to be a very difficult game to win, regardless of what the line says.
Maryland's defensive line is going to look to create problems for the Hokies, and that will be a battle that the Hokies are going to need to win, as they are going to need to run the football, as well as protect quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. All hands on deck, and having Altuner available is going to be huge.
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