Earlier this week, as the Virginia Tech football team was practicing for a huge revenge game against Old Dominion, there was an injury concern that was popping up for first-year coach James Franklin and his club in an area where the Hokies really don't need one.
Center Kyle Altuner was not practicing with the ones on Wednesday night, with Tommy Ricard getting those reps. That would be bad for an offensive line already down Johnny Garrett, who suffered an injury earlier this summer. In meeting with the media on Wednesday night, Franklin didn't tip his hand on whether Altuner would be available against the Monarchs on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.
"He's great in the weight room," Franklin said. "It's translating to the field now, playing powerful, explosive. He's doing a great job for us on special teams, too."
Per Damien Sordelett of the Roanoke Times, Altuner was listed as the starter on the depth chart for the Old Dominion game, which should be a sigh of relief for Virginia Tech fans.
Virginia Tech gets promising depth chart ahead of ODU showdown
Altuner listed as a starter means the Hokies will roll out the same offensive line they used to start against VMI in last week's 73-3 win. Justin Terry, Layth Ghannam, Altuner, Montavious Cunningham, and Aidan Lynch were listed as starters from left to right.
Virginia Tech got the running game going last week against the Keydets and will look to do so against ODU with Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton Jr. If the Hokies are going to have success and get to where they want to this season, they are going to need health along the offensive line, and if they lost Altuner not only this weekend but beyond, it would be a big blow to Franklin and position coach Matt Moore. For now, it looks like a tough injury has been avoided.
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