Temple's Reddick, Armstead could miss Tulane game
Temple is two wins away from earning a second straight American Athletic Conference East Division title. The Owls' remaining opponents are two teams with losing records.
Temple is two wins away from earning a second straight American Athletic Conference East Division title. The Owls' remaining opponents are two teams with losing records.
There appears to be a clear path to the title game for a Temple team that is 7-3, 5-1 in the AAC, and on a season-high four-game winning streak.
Of course, nothing is that simple for this year's team, which will visit Tulane (3-7, 0-6) on Saturday.
Even coming off a bye week, Temple could be playing without its top defensive player and one of its best offensive threats.
Coach Matt Rhule said at a news conference Tuesday that the status of defensive end Haason Reddick and running back Ryquell Armstead was uncertain.
"I don't think Reddick will play," said Rhule, who added that the 6-foot-1, 235-pound product of Haddon Heights High is dealing with a foot/ankle problem.
In the past, however, players whom Rhule has ruled out on a Tuesday have found their way onto the field by the weekend.
Reddick has 18 tackles for losses, which is tied with UCLA's Takkarist McKinley for the most in the nation. With 81/2 sacks, Reddick is second in the AAC.
Rhule said Armstead hurt himself in the first play of the Owls' most recent game, a 21-0 win at Connecticut on Nov. 4. "He played a great game and played through it," Rhule said. Armstead gained 133 yards on 20 carries.
"He is day-to-day now," Rhule said.
This season, the sophomore from Millville has rushed for 807 yards (6.3 average) and 11 touchdowns.
The Owls still have starting running back Jahad Thomas, who leads Temple with 14 touchdowns. Thomas has rushed for 647 yards (4.8 average) and nine touchdowns and has 27 receptions for 354 yards and five more scores.
Rhule indicated that Jager Gardner, who was banged up earlier in the year and has carried the ball only 14 times, could see more work. Freshman Isaiah Wright (34 carries, 177 yards) brings even more depth to the running game.
As for replacing Reddick, backups Avery Ellis and Jacob Martin have seen sufficient time this year. There is also tight end Romond Deloatch, who has seen part-time duty as a defensive end and has four sacks.
Rhule added that starting cornerback Artrel Foster, who missed the last game with a shoulder injury, is expected to return.
Rhule and his staff don't want his players looking past Tulane. The Green Wave have lost three games by five points or fewer. Last week, Tulane outgained Houston, 341-287, in a 30-18 loss to the host Cougars. That ended a streak of 35 consecutive games in which the Cougars scored 300 yards.
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