Earlier today, we pointed out that it was in Northwestern's best interest to not tell us anything about Kain Colter and Venric Mark's injuries, and that we probably wouldn't get much news on them. Well, color me surprised: Pat Fitzgerald was actually reasonably forthcoming about the injuries to his starting quarterback and running back, and said he expects both to play this week -- with some caveats.
On Colter:Fitz on Kain Colter (concussion): "I doubt he’ll get any reps but he will be out there at practice." Questionable for Sat vs. 'Cuse.
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) September 3, 2013
Fitz also said of Kain Colter: "Unless something changes throughout the course of the week, we expect him to play Saturday.”
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) September 3, 2013
So Kain Colter actually has a concussion, which we basically knew after seeing him on the sidelines, and Northwestern will take it easy with him although he's expected to play. Summary? Expect Kain to play, but, hey, maybe he won't.Does add that "We expect Kain to play." Zack Oliver prepared to step in as second quarterback, but too soon to say he will.
— Rittenberg/Bennett (@ESPN_BigTen) September 3, 2013
On Venric:
We learn even less here. The good news is it seems both players should be at game shape or nearing it by Saturday. NU will go out of their way to rest these dudes, but if needs be, it seems like there is a good likelihood that they both will play Saturday. Of course, this could be gamesmanship: we received no indicators Mark was feeling dinged up before the Cal game, but, as we could see pretty quickly, he was. Saying Mark and Colter could both be in the mix Saturday could just be forcing 'Cuse to prepare for them -- I remember Dan Persa being supposedly in game shape Weeks 1, 2, and 3 back in 2011, so I have reason to be skeptical.Fitz on V Mark (leg): "Will be limited in practice early in the week and then we will see as the week progresses."
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) September 3, 2013
The bottom line, though: Trevor Siemian and Treyvon Green led the way in a win against Cal. Northwestern should once again be in alright shape with those two guys playing heavy minutes against a Syracuse team that shouldn't be oodles better.
More from Sippin' On Purple:
- Plays of the Week: Running Away With It
- Northwestern college football rankings: Wildcats No. 19 in AP Poll after Cal win, No. 20 in Coaches Poll
- Apparently we need to talk about Northwestern faking injuries vs. Cal
- Northwestern-Syracuse depth chart: Kain Colter, Venric Mark injuries remain mysterious, Dwight White starting
- Daniel Jones injury: Northwestern Wildcats CB out for season after injury vs. Cal
- Northwestern vs. Cal: Collin Ellis' monster game proves I am a smartypants/genius and that you should read everything I say