Provo • BYU’s two best defensive players are dealing with injuries heading into its most difficult stretch of the season.
Star linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly both went out and did not return in a win over West Virginia on Friday night.
Kelly went down in the first half and spent the second half in street clothes. His arm was in a sling to end the game.
Glasker later hobbled off the field and did not play another defensive snap. He played one down on special teams but did not touch the ball.
“We’ll see how it looks for Jack and for Glasker,” head coach Kalani Sitake said. “They didn’t finish the game. I was pleased with the guys that did come in for them.”
Sitake initially felt good about Kelly’s injury because of the linebacker’s reaction.
“I felt good about it because toward the end, in the locker room, he was actually feeling pretty good,” Sitake said. “So we’ll evaluate [over the weekend]. That’s the game of football. Sometimes guys get banged up, and we’ll see how banged up he is next week.”
With Glasker, Sitake said it was partly cautionary to keep him out in the second half.
“He wanted to keep playing. And I think there was an argument on the sideline,” Sitake said. “I’m usually going to go with the safe side and listen to the doctors and trainers. But he did get in on the onside kick, because I think he was Jack’s backup.”
Safety Tanner Wall said nothing about BYU’s scheme would change significantly if the two linebackers do miss time, but there is no doubt their talents would be missed.
“Those are two huge playmakers,” Wall said.
Linebackers Ace Kaufusi, Miles Hall, Max Alford and Siale Esera played most of the second half. BYU was already thin at linebacker due to Choe Bryant-Strother’s injury. His future in football is unknown.
“I hope Jack and Glasker get back, but next man up,” corner Tre Alexander said. “On to Arizona now.”