Prior to the start of Liberty’s game against UMass on Black Friday, the Flames announced several players as out for today’s contest. LB Anthony Butler, RB Shedro Louis, WR CJ Yarbrough, CB Jimmy Faulks, DB Deon Biggins, S Tim Kidd-Glass, and OL Brendan Schlittler will all miss today’s game.
The only one of these players who showed up on the injury report prior to today was Yarbrough who left the NC State game last week and entered the concussion protocol. Yarbrough has 17 receptions for 268 yards and 1 touchdown in 7 seven games played for the Flames.
Butler is the team’s starting Mike linebacker and he leads the team with 58 tackles and 2 interceptions to go along with 4 pass breakups and 1 sack. Expect Carl Poole to make his second consecutive start in place of Butler.
Louis is the team leader in all-purpose yardage with 777 total, including 431 on the ground and 298 in kick return yards. Peytton Pickett and Joshua Mack will get the bulk of the carries at running back in Louis’ absence with Troy Henderson being the third back. Pickett is also likely to fill in as kick returner.
Schlittler has started all 9 games this season at right guard. Jonathan Graham could make his first career start at the position or we could see either Damian Bounds or Jacob Bodden move to right guard while the other starts at left guard.
Faulks has played in 4 games this season as a reserve corner, recording 3 tackles and 1 interception. He was expected to have a larger role this week following Emanuel Dabney’s transfer (more on Dabney below).
Biggins has gotten increasingly more playing time in the secondary. Originally starting the season as a corner, he has moved to nickel back and he’s seen playing time in all 9 games.
Kidd-Glass has played in the last two games after being injured to begin the season. The reserve safety has 3 tackles on the season.
Dabney, who announced earlier this week he was transferring from Liberty, has had a change of heart and will remain with the Flames. No early word on whether or not he will be available for today’s game.
