Michigan State football’s injury situation is a little deeper than anticipated. The Spartans will be without safety Nikai Martinez, as expected.
EAST LANSING — Michigan State football’s injury situation is a little deeper than anticipated.
The Spartans will be without starting senior safety Nikai Martinez as expected for their opener against Western Michigan on Friday, Aug. 29 (7 p.m., FS1). And their special teams will be tested greatly with the absences of kickers Tarik Ahmetbasic and Martin Connington, both of whom were ruled out in the availability report.
That means MSU will use No. 3 kicker Blake Sislo and backup long snapper Jack Wills, a true freshman. Sislo was on the roster for three seasons at Division II Davenport but never got in a game and did not play football last year.
The Spartans also will be missing some key depth players: defensive back Andrew Brinson IV, defensive tackle Jalen Satchell and tight end Brennan Parachek.
It also appears freshman RB Jace Clarizio won't play tonight. He's on the sideline in street clothes and jersey (as were the other Spartans ruled out) as the rest of MSU's team started warmups. Jonathan Smith said on his radio show this week that Clarizio n is dealing with a calf injury.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football injury report" Nikai Martinez out vs WMU
Category: General Sports