Coach Jeff Lebby provided injury updates on two starters for Mississippi State football on Monday.
Defensive lineman Kalvin Dinkins seems to have avoided a serious injury after leaving the Bulldogs’ (1-0) season opener against Eastern Kentucky in the second quarter, from which he did not return. Lebby indicated he’s “not ready to say” whether wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi will play Saturday (9:30 p.m., ESPN) at Arizona State (1-0).
Lebby did not disclose the specific nature of their injuries. Dinkins is listed as a starter in the team’s Week 2 depth chart, while Akharaiyi is not included at all.
“A guy that’s doing a lot better today than he was yesterday,” Lebby said of Dinkins. “He was a lot better yesterday than he was Saturday night. Right now, got a chance to travel with us and go play. I think it’s going to be a game-time decision for him.”
Regarding Akharaiyi, a transfer from UTEP, Lebby said: “He’s getting closer. We need to be patient with him. We’re hopeful he has a solid week and builds some confidence, but I can’t confirm if he’ll be available yet.”
Lebby did not provide any updates on safety Corey Ellington, who missed the game against EKU and was spotted wearing a boot on his right foot.
Last season at UTEP, Akharaiyi recorded 1,033 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Dinkins, a sophomore, sustained a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the previous season and had one sack and two tackles before leaving the EKU game.
In other news, the SEC announced it will implement publicly accessible injury reports this season for conference games only. The first report will be released on Wednesdays and updated daily until 90 minutes before kickoff.
Mississippi State’s first conference game is on September 21 against Florida, meaning their initial injury report will be available in two weeks.
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