INJURY UPDATES: Wilson Set To Return, Doeren Hopeful On Ingle
NC State entered the season with high expectations for redshirt sophomore linebacker Payton Wilson and Tanner Ingle.
The Wolfpack’s top two tacklers in 2019, Wilson and Ingle were set to be pivotal pieces defensively. Both started the opener but Ingle left the game two plays in and didn’t return due to injury. Wilson was dominant, totaling 10 tackles, four tackles for a loss, and a sack in the win.
However, he sustained an injury late in the game which forced him to miss the Virginia Tech matchup.
Doeren stated this afternoon that both could be returning to the lineup as soon as this weekend at Pittsburgh.
“We do expect to have Payton back with us full-go, and Tanner, we’re hopeful,” Doeren said.
NC State was also without starting cornerback Teshaun Smith, who announced on Instagram he’ll miss the season which Doeren confirmed as well.
“Teshaun Smith is now out for the year with his other shoulder,” Doeren said. “He will help us in practice with helping the guys mentally.”
Safety is really thin right now. Ingle is already out and both of his replacements, Rakeim Ashford and Khalid Martin left with injuries. Martin in particular sustained a scary injury which required him to be taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
“Khalid Martin is back with us today,” Doeren said. “I’m very happy that he’s back. He was in our team meeting. It was a scary moment obviously, but to have Khalid back with us... I don’t know how long it will be, but all the scans, x-rays, and imaging have been positive.
“I’m just thankful to God and to all the health and safety and medical teams who were a part of that situation... we say thanks to them and the Virginia Tech staff.”
“It’s a day-to-day thing,” he added on Ashford’s status. “We have to see where he ends up but if we were to play today he would not go. We just have to see how he responds. He had a shoulder since back in junior college and sometimes it bothers him and sometimes it doesn’t. We’re just going to have to see where he ends up. I know he’s rehabbing and doing everything he can.”
Ashford had 10 tackles in the opener against Wake Forest.
Martin and Ashford were off the depth chart this week. Ingle is now backed up by true freshman Devan Boykin.