Ben Roberts’ name on Michigan State’s preliminary availability report is the kind of update that changes the mood around a defense in a hurry.
Three weeks after he was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair against UCLA, the Spartans’ nose tackle has been upgraded to questionable for Saturday’s game against Washington at Spartan Stadium. It’s a striking turn for a player whose knee injury looked like it could end his season, especially after he was spotted running around in celebration at Michigan Stadium last Saturday when Michigan State pulled the upset over rival Michigan.
Roberts is one of four Spartans listed questionable for the Nov. 14 matchup. Cornerbacks Charles Brantley and Tre Bell are also in that group, along with backup quarterback Cam Fancher.
Michigan State enters the game as a 3-point underdog. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m., with the game on Big Ten Network. ESPN Analytics gives Washington a slight edge, assigning the Huskies a 51.8 percent win probability.
Washington also has a notable injury situation of its own. Star quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is listed questionable after missing a game against Purdue earlier this season with a rib injury.
He has returned for the past two weeks against Nebraska and Penn State, nearly helping the Huskies pull the upset in a 28-25 loss to Penn State. In that game, he threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
For Michigan State, the injury list remains long. Coach Pat Fitzgerald said earlier this week that there is a chance some of the injured players could return at some point this season, including running back Cam Edwards, who had already been ruled out for the year with a right knee injury.
"My hope is that every guy is back at some point," Fitzgerald said Nov. 9.
"But that is up to the medical team. So we'll see how those things go."
The Spartans listed 10 players out, including new additions Rodney Bullard Jr. at wide receiver and safety Devin Vaught, who spent the second half against Michigan on the sideline in street clothes. Also still out are linebacker Jordan Hall, tight end Jayden Savoury and running back Marvis Parrish. Running back Jaziun Patterson is doubtful.
Freshmen tight end Joe Caudill, safety Brayden Thomas and offensive lineman Tristan Comer remain out, along with fullback Jay Coyne.
Roberts’ injury at UCLA on Oct. 24 left a mark on teammates, including edge rusher Anelu Lafaele, who watched trainers help him off the field at the Rose Bowl.
"His presence is felt no matter if he’s on the field or off the field," Lafaele said Nov. 11.
"Just having him hype up the D line, either just to make a play or just telling us we need to pick it up if we’re not doing up to the standard. He’s just a leader all around."
If Roberts can play, it would be a major lift for a defensive line that sacked Michigan’s Tommy Carr five times, plus another on a two-point conversion. Lafaele, Kenny Soares Jr. and Derrick Simmons were central to that performance.
The coaching staff has also pointed to Roberts as a player they view as All-Big Ten caliber. He has 26 tackles in seven games this season, plus one snap against UCLA, and his production included eight tackles and two sacks against Northwestern, an unusual line for a nose tackle. Joe Rossi said his return would matter well beyond the stat sheet.
"He’s kind of the heartbeat of the defense, in terms of the heart that he brings and how hard, and he’s very well respected," Rossi said Nov. 11.
"Being able to have him back, hopefully at some point, that would be number one great for him personally, because I know he has aspirations after college. But it would be really good for us just to see him back.
Even if he didn’t make a play, it would give a boost to everyone."
Washington at Michigan State
TV/radio: BTN/760-AM
Line: Washington by 3
Series: Washington leads, 4-1. Last meeting: Washington won, 41-7, at Spartan Stadium on Sept. 16, 2023.
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