Going all the way back to the summer, injuries along the offensive line have been an issue for first-year Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin. Then, it carried over into the regular season, where it seems that when it rains, it pours.
In the Hokies Week 3 35-26 victory over Maryland, Virginia Tech lost offensive lineman Justin Terry in the first half, and he has been out since then. However, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel for Terry in terms of getting back onto the field, and it might come as soon as this upcoming weekend when Stanford visits.
James Franklin gives positive Justin Terry injury update ahead of Stanford game
According to Andy Bitter of Tech Sideline, Terry was going through 1-on-1 drills with the D-linemen. After practice, Franklin gave an update on his linemen ahead of Stanford visiting on Saturday night at Lane Stadium.
ACC availability report for #Hokies football vs. Stanford: pic.twitter.com/LP50TXjDqg
— Thomas Hughes (@thomashughes_05) November 12, 2026
"So today was really the first day that we've been able to have him for everything," Franklin said, per Virginia Tech Athletics ' YouTube. "We've been kind of working him in slowly. Drills, (individuals), one-on-ones. So today was the first day we've kind of had him for everything. So he's getting closer, and it's positive for us.''
That certainly would be a positive, but a return on Saturday night feels a little ahead of schedule. It would be surprising if he were rushed back from an injury to play against the Cardinal. Franklin said that Terry will likely be a game-time decision.
"It's not like we're totally through it," Franklin said. "We still got the rest of the week, and probably will come down to either a game-time decision, or it will be he's cleared, but we still don't feel like he's gotten enough reps."
Virginia Tech's offensive line can use all the help it can get
If and when Terry comes back, it'll be a welcome sight for Hokies fans. To say that the offensive line has struggled this season would be an understatement. Some of that is because of injuries, while some of it is because there have been guys moved around to different positions. Consistency is key and it feels like there hasn't been much of it this season.
Virginia Tech has struggled to protect quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer at times, despite the Penn State transfer having a good year statistically. Then there is the running game that the Hokies have desperately tried to get going. Sophomore Jeffrey Overton Jr. had another big game last week at SMU, and expect them to try to get him going early and often against Stanford.
Three regular-season games remain in the 2026 campaign, and already at 6-3, the Hokies are guaranteed a bowl game later next month before the attention shifts toward the 2027 season. Getting Terry back would be a big addition, but even if he does return this weekend, his snaps might be limited; just his presence would be big for Grunkemeyer and the rest of the offense.
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