Liberty running back Vaughn Blue was injured in the first half of Saturday’s win at Buffalo, being helped off the field to the sidelines. He did not return to the game. On Tuesday, Liberty head coach Jamey Chadwell did not give a specific timetable for his return but said he would be out “quite a while.”
“It will be very late, very late in the season,” Chadwell said when asked if Blue could return this year.
Chadwell also did not comment on Blue’s specific injury, but the true freshman back was holding his left shoulder on the field following the injury. Blue was also on the sidelines at practice Tuesday morning with a sling on his left arm.
Through the first three games this season, Blue, a starter for the Flames at running back, had rushed 12 times for 76 yards. He also had 3 receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Quinton Cooley will continue to lead the running back room for Liberty. Billy Lucas will also be prominently featured at the position as he has the first three weeks of the season.
Additional opportunities will likely arise for James Jointer and Victor Venn due to Blue’s injury. Both Jointer and Venn saw some action in Liberty’s win over Buffalo. Jointer carried the ball 7 times for 48 yards on Saturday against the Bulls, while Venn had 1 carry for no gain.
“It’s a challenge because Vaughn was unique among our group right now because he’s somebody that can do some inside-outside stuff for us,” Chadwell said about the loss of Blue. “We’ve obviously got James Jointer, who you saw come in and do some nice things, Victor Venn came in. Those guys, as they’ve grown through fall camp to now, they’ve got to step up their play. Obviously, you know about Cooley and Billy, but James and Victor need to really step up and take more ownership for what their role is as far as getting themselves ready to go and building that trust with coaches. They are going to play some more. It’s going to be by committee.”
A true freshman from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Blue has played in three games to begin his collegiate career. Depending on when he would be available to return, the possibility of him redshirting remains. All FBS football players can play in up to 4 games a season while still maintaining that season of eligibility and redshirt. In Blue’s case, he could return for one more game, such as the bowl game as an example, and be able to preserve that year of eligibility.
“Vaughn is a big loss because he was the one that could sort of do both,” said Chadwell. “It’s unfortunate for him but he will be out quite a while.”
