Arizona State’s latest injury report and depth chart ahead of Baylor don’t bring any sweeping surprises, but they do reveal a few spots worth watching when the Sun Devils kick off Saturday night in Tempe.
The biggest offensive adjustment comes at tight end. With Khamari Anderson out for the season, transfer Anthony Miller has moved into the top spot next to A.J.
Ia. Ia’s role was already expected to grow without Anderson, but ASU still had a decision to make on who would absorb the blocking work Anderson handled.
For Week 5, that job belongs to Miller.
At receiver, Omarion Miller stays put as the “F” receiver, the slot spot. Kenny Dillingham has already talked about wanting more from the Colorado transfer and more downfield involvement, and this setup suggests ASU is keeping him in that role rather than shifting him outside to the Z position or elsewhere.
The injury report released on 9/30 includes seven Sun Devils, and while there were no major shocks, Grayson Rigdon’s status stands out. That matters because ASU’s ground game has not looked like a Shaun Aguano backfield so far. The Sun Devils are averaging 4.64 yards per carry overall, but that number drops to 3.80 in second halves.
Against Kansas, the run game never really got loose. On 43 carries, ASU managed 133 yards, good for 3.09 yards per attempt. That is the lowest per-carry mark the Sun Devils have posted on 40 carries or more in 26 games, dating back to early 2024.
If Rigdon can’t go, the impact may be felt more in the passing game than on the ground. He’s shown his value through the air with two catches for 110 receiving yards.
Still, the backfield work figures to keep running through Kyson Brown and Marquis Gillis, while Jason Brown Jr. is another name to watch if Dillingham and his staff decide to shake up the depth chart in search of a spark. Brown has already produced 151 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries in 2025.
Special teams has been a weekly storyline for Arizona State, and the depth chart shows the return roles remain settled for now. Jalen Moss is still the lead punt returner.
Cory Butler Jr. is the second option on both punt and kick return as he continues to recover from his muffed punt against Texas A&M. On kickoffs, Jared Hamilton remains the primary return man, and he reminded everyone why two weeks ago against Kansas when he took one back 100 yards for a touchdown.
That unit has had its share of swings already this season: a muffed punt in Texas, a punt return touchdown allowed in London, and Hamilton’s big return against Kansas. Whether the group steadies things against Baylor is one of the night’s quieter but real questions.
Arizona State and Baylor meet Saturday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. AZ, 10:30 p.m.
EST at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. The game will air on ESPN.
The Sun Devil Radio Network broadcast will be on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, with Tim Healey on play-by-play, former Arizona State quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst as analyst, and Kevin Turner reporting from the sideline.
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The challenge for Arizona State is clear enough: Baylor brings a quarterback threat that has been part of its recent surge, even with some uncertainty around Lagways health, and the Bears have another offensive piece in Pendergrass who could tilt the game if he is available and effective. Arizona States defensive strength will be tested in a way that should make this more than just another conference date, and the matchup feels like one that could hinge on which side handles the pressure better early. [Read more 🡒]