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Will BYU running back LJ Martin be ready for Texas Tech showdown?

The Big 12’s leading rusher’s status is uncertain as the Cougars head into their second bye week.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young running back LJ Martin (4) kneels in the end zone after entering the field, for football action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Stanford Cardinal, at Lavell Edwards Stadium on Saturday Sept. 6, 2025.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars.

Coming off an important road victory at Iowa State, the No. 10 Cougars now get an extra week of preparation ahead of their Nov. 8 meeting with the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders.

At the top of BYU’s priorities this week: Trying to get running back LJ Martin healthy enough to suit up in Lubbock.

The Big 12’s leading rusher, Martin appeared to injure his shoulder in the first half of Saturday’s game against the Cyclones.

“We’re still evaluating it. We’ll take some time to evaluate and see where he’s going to be at,” Sitake said on Monday, the team’s only media availability this week. “I can’t give you the answer. You guys know that wasn’t going to happen on Monday after a game.”

Sitake said his staff is “considering everything” when it comes to position changes to help with running back depth in the event Martin is unable to play.

“This is the time to work on it and give them extra reps with the bye coming up,” he said. “We feel good about our running back group. We’re just going to have to see how they take to the reps they’re going to get.”