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Injuries force Texas Tech football to shuffle offensive line to start practice
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- Injuries force Texas Tech football to shuffle offensive line to start practice
Joey McGuire knew before the Texas Tech football team opened preseason camp Wednesday that the Red Raiders would be down left tackle Sterling Porcher.
What McGuire didn't know at that time was that Davion Carter , the Memphis transfer battling for spots at both center and right guard, would also be sidelined for the first part of practice as well.
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Carter was seen Thursday sporting an orthopedic boot on his right foot, which McGuire said is due to the 6-foot, 290 pounder rolling his ankle early in Wednesday's practice.
"We've done everything," McGuire said. "We feel good that he'll progress back."
McGuire didn't specify a timeline for Carter's return to the field, though didn't seem too worried about it either. Maurice Rodriques, the 6-foot-7 JUCO transfer, battled a stomach issue early in Thursday's practice though was able to finish the session.
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Porcher, projected as Tech's starting left tackle out of the spring, is limited with a nagging hamstring injury. McGuire said earlier this week that Porcher (6-4, 315), who transferred from Middle Tennessee State, should be back within a week or so.
With those two sidelined to start camp, the Red Raiders have had to shuffle its offensive line a bit. Dalton Merryman is getting extra time in Porcher's spot at left tackle. Caleb Rogers , Tech's lone returning starter up front, was already occupying the right guard spot ahead of Carter in the depth chart.
Rogers' position on the line has been in question since the multi-year starter announced his intentions to move to the inside of the line back in December after spending his first four years at tackle. Whether he was moving to center or guard was up in the air between the end of last season and the start, though he's settled in at guard.
Texas Tech's Davion Carter pauses during a drill at a spring football practice, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at Sports Performance Center.
However, with the absences of Porcher and Carter, Rogers' ability to play multiple positions has been on full display. It's a place Rogers feels comfortable considering his versatility.
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"It really forces me to hone in on my technique and my mindset every time I'm at a different position," Rogers said, "because you're not just going out there to play. It's such a different position going from right guard to left tackle. It just forces me to lock in even more. I think it's actually extremely helpful."
Toledo transfer Vinny Sciury has been locked in as the projected starter at left guard, next to center Sheridan Wilson. Porcher's injury, Rogers said, has put Sciury in a different situation to start camp, which can be beneficial for everybody.
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"I think it's kind of a transition playing next to Dalton right now, trying to help him out more," Rogers said of Sciury. "I think that's really good for him because once Sterling's back, they have a good connection, almost like they can play without having to talk too much, but right now he's kind of having to talk a little bit more. I think he's doing exactly what he needs to do for us."
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Likewise, McGuire sees the current predicament of the offensive line has a potential positive.
"That's the thing that I'm hoping we keep talking about," McGuire said, "is the depth of this team."
Texas Tech's Davion Carter is seen wearing an orthopedic boot during football practice, Thursday, August 1, 2024, in the Sports Performance Center.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football offensive line shuffling due to early camp injuries
