Florida State’s running back room just took a major blow.
Coach Mike Norvell said Monday that Samuel Singleton Jr. will be out for an extended time after getting hurt in the Seminoles’ 50-36 loss to Alabama. The injury happened shortly after Singleton helped spark one of Florida State’s biggest plays of the night, a 65-yard screen pass that set up the team’s fourth touchdown in the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Singleton was later seen on the sideline on crutches.
The setback lands at a rough moment for a senior who had been carving out a breakout season. Singleton had started to separate himself after sharing work with Ousmane Kromah, and his value went well beyond carrying the ball. He had become a true all-purpose threat for Florida State, working as a runner, a receiver and a kickoff return specialist.
Through the early part of the season, Singleton led the Seminoles with 366 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns. That kind of production made him one of the most important pieces on the roster, especially because he was affecting games in so many different ways.
Now Florida State has to reshuffle the backfield.
Tre Wisner is the most obvious candidate to see a bigger workload. He came to Tallahassee as one of the team’s key transfer additions and entered the season expected to be among the top backs.
Injuries in fall camp slowed him down, though, and Singleton took advantage of the opening to earn a starting role. With Singleton sidelined, Wisner should get more chances to show what he can do.
The Seminoles also have other options available, including freshman Amari Thomas, Junior Zay Parks and Gemari Sands, an FAU transfer.
Florida State will get its first look at that adjusted rotation when it returns to Doak Campbell Stadium to host Central Arkansas at 3 p.m. Saturday.
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