As Injuries Mount, Brohm's Greatest Test Emerges

(Photo Credit: Clinton Cole @cdcole55)

Yesterday in practice, according to GBI, Markus Bailey sustained a non-contact knee injury. Earlier this afternoon, the world outside of the Purdue football family heard the lousy news. Bailey, a two-time captain and three (plus) season starter for our Boilers is out for the season.

Last year, following the thrashing by Auburn, Bailey decided to turn his back on the potential of NFL money because of unfinished business. Bailey didn’t want his last game with his Purdue teammates to be what we witnessed in Nashville.

This is the second knee injury for Bailey while at Purdue. The first time was a torn ACL versus VaTech during his Freshman season…he subsequently redshirted.

His loss is important…dare I say crushing to Purdue who was already the youngest team in the conference even prior to the recent deluge of injuries. If you don’t know a ton about football, this might help- Bailey was the equivalent of the quarterback of Purdue’s defense. He not only knew where he was supposed to be, but where everyone else needed to be. Atop of that, he was damned good…look back at the Vandy game for proof. He was everywhere…played well in space and put pressure on Vandy’s QBs. He’s also solid in run support because he’s a sure tackler.

The loss of Bailey isn’t the first big blow to this Purdue team. Back in the spring, and even during camp, it looked like Lorenzo Neal would be starting for our Boilers…we haven’t seen Purdue’s Senior D Tackle play a down, as of yet.

Number one RB, Tario Fuller suffered a ‘nasty’ injury while playing special teams during camp. His injury was called a freak occurrence by the coaching staff, and left him with his jaw wired shut and a concussion. We won’t see Fuller for at least a few weeks (probably longer). Worship, another former starter, hasn’t played or even practiced a full speed in over a season due to multiple knee injuries.

Most recently, fifth year Senior, Matt McCann, who started all 13 games in 2018 injured his ankle versus Vanderbilt. Purdue’s coaching staff hasn’t said a ton about when he’d return, but we know it won’t be this week and it could be a bit longer than just a few weeks until he’s back based on some of the statements about the injury’s severity.

And lastly, but surely not least noteworthy, Eli Sindelar’s status is up in the air after a blow to the head by a Vandy LB on Purdue’s last offensive play, left Purdue’s fifth year starting QB with a concussion. Sindelar’s status for Saturday’s game versus TCU has not been decided.

Coming into the season, we knew Brohm and company had a tall order in front of them as they tried to bring a slew of underclassmen up to speed in a hurry. Freshman are everywhere…that’s a good thing, because these guys are talented…but situational experience matters in football…but more than that, on-field leadership is paramount.

We haven’t seen a rash of injuries like this since Coach Hope was prowling the sidelines and Purdue QBs were dropping with knee injuries. Now, I’d argue, staying healthy is more important than ever for this squad…something they simply aren’t, at this point.

Coach Brohm talked about the importance of developing depth during the Spring…and with the tools at hand, the staff has done a pretty good job preparing players to get on the field. The problem is, especially in the trenches, it’s tough to ask an 18 year old to hold his own when leaned on by a 22 year old.

This Purdue Coaching staff has their work cut out for them as they rush understudies to the forefront during the week in practice. At the same time, they’ll need to get even more creative, both offensively and defensively to try to create favorable matchups.

The prospects of a good bowl were pretty slim a few weeks ago, now, a six or seven win season seems like a bit of a long shot. It’ll take brilliant play calling by Brohm and his staff, great execution on the offensive side of the ball, and nearly flawless play on the defensive side, and on both sides, some new faces will have to develop a little quicker than what was planned…but more than all of this, it’s gonna take some luck.

Right now, it looks like Purdue doesn’t have a ton of it.