West Virginia got its first real look at the availability picture for Saturday’s trip to Iowa State, and the biggest name on it is wide receiver Armoni Weaver-Bomar.
Weaver-Bomar is out for the game after being listed on the report following the two heavy practice days this week. WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said Tuesday that he wasn’t sure whether Weaver-Bomar would be able to play after the receiver hurt his finger on the 8-yard jet sweep against Oklahoma State.
He did not return after that play, and the severity of the injury has not been disclosed. With Weaver-Bomar unavailable, Cyrus Traugh should see more snaps in the slot, with Kedrick Triplett also a possible option there.
The Mountaineers also listed RB Andre Devine, DL Darius Wiley and N/S Emory Snyder on the report, while WR Carter Pabst was included as well. On the defensive side, Ashton Woods and Nick Taylor are banged up but are not expected to miss the game. WVU should also have a little more help at corner with Jason Chambers now eligible after receiving a preliminary injunction on Wednesday.
Taylor’s status is worth watching because the cornerback is trying to get back on track after a rough outing last week. He was arguably at his best two weeks ago in Charlotte, but against Oklahoma State he gave up four catches on four targets for 69 yards.
Iowa State does not usually lean heavily on the pass, but when the Cyclones do throw, the ball tends to be put in danger. That gives Taylor a chance to turn in a cleaner performance and maybe grab his first interception of the season.
Iowa State’s first availability report also brought a notable absence: starting left guard Caden Maas is out. Maas has been excellent in pass protection through four games, giving up only two pressures and one sack. The Cyclones have rotated several linemen already, so that’s the one spot where they may be better equipped to absorb a loss up front.
Defensive lineman Caden Crawford is also out for Iowa State. He has been part of the rotation and has produced five tackles, two stops and two pressures on the quarterback.
WVU and Iowa State will release another availability report late Thursday night.
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, and the game will be televised on TNT.
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