Florida State’s running back situation may be tightening again, and Amari Thomas could be the next man forced into a bigger role.
Interim coach Rick Stockstill said wide receiver Devin Carter is much closer to returning and could see more action against Boston College, but the more pressing update centered on Tre Wisner. After leaving the Clemson game with an injury, Wisner has started working his way back, and Stockstill said he has been participating. Even so, his status for Boston College remains uncertain.
That uncertainty matters because Wisner is already the latest stopgap in a backfield that has been hammered by injuries and roster movement. He opened the season buried on the depth chart behind Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr., but injuries to both players and the dismissal of Gemari Sands pushed Wisner into the starting job.
Now Florida State is down to just two natural running backs for any kind of relief: Thomas and Zay Parks. Of the two, Thomas is the one the staff believes can handle a much larger workload, and he may be asked to carry the rushing attack if Wisner can’t go this weekend.
Even if Wisner is available, there’s no guarantee he’ll be at full strength. That opens the door for Thomas to see far more snaps and likely a heavier share of the carries against the Eagles.
Thomas logged the most action of his young college career against Clemson, though it amounted to just one carry in the loss. He was on the field some, but the ball didn’t come his way often. With nearly a full week of practice now ahead of him as the starter, that should change.
Florida State’s margin for error at running back is thin. With Kromah and Singleton out, the Seminoles were already leaning on a third-string option in Wisner. If Wisner can’t play, or even if he can only go at less than 100%, the pressure shifts squarely onto Thomas.
That’s especially notable because Thomas had already been elevated to the second-string role after Kromah’s injury. Florida State seemed cautious about getting him involved early against Clemson, likely because of how limited his practice reps had been. But the Wisner injury changes the equation fast.
What was supposed to be a chance to ease Thomas into the rotation against Clemson now looks like a trial by fire. Against Boston College, Florida State may need him ready whether the preparation has been ideal or not.
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