Injury situation looking better on offense

By the second half of the Virginia Tech game, Florida State was without its starting quarterback, starting running back and top offensive tackle. Making matters worse, two backup running backs were also injured in the game. Worst of all, there was talk after the game that Antone Smith's shoulder injury might put him out for the rest of the season.

The news on Monday appears to be a little brighter.

Offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher was very optimistic regarding the status of all of his injured players, and that included Smith.

"It sounds like it was typical bruising and he is sore," Fisher said. "It sounds like he is going to be okay and everything should be good. We'll get him some treatment and get him some ice and he'll be fine it sounds like."

The other major hit the offense took was when quarterback Drew Weatherford suffered a concussion following a helmet-to-helmet shot from Virginia Tech defender Brandon Flowers in the second quarter. According to the coaches, the junior signal-caller was coherent by halftime and even wanted to go back into the game. By Monday, Weatherford said he was back to normal.

"The next morning was pretty rough. I had a headache and was pretty nauseated but as the day went on I was fine," Weatherford said. "As far I understand I'm good to go unless I have problems during the week. As of right now they are going to be cautious and make sure in practice and maybe limit me early on but I feel really good."

During his weekly press conference, Fisher was equally optimistic about Weatherford's availability to play against Maryland.

"He'll be fine," Fisher said. "He sounded like he was pretty clear and Randy (Oravetz) said he sounded clear so he should up, be full go and be ready to roll."

Fisher also felt that offensive tackle Daron Rose would be back in the lineup after suffering a knee sprain in the Boston College game. He also noted that the injuries to Jamaal Edwards and Russell Ball were not serious.

Gene Williams is the founder and administrator of Warchant.com and writes stories and features covering all of FSU's sports with an emphasis on football and football recruiting. During football season, he hosts a weekly sports radio show in Tallahassee on NewsRadio 1270 WFLA, and appears as a weekly guest on 1460 ESPN Radio in Jacksonville. Williams is also a former ACC correspondent for College Football News (weekly national newspaper), and contributes to The Osceola. Story about Gene Williams & Warchant.comClick The offense could have another key player back in the lineup this week. Fisher will meet with Xavier Lee today to discuss his playing status following his two-game suspension. According to head coach Bobby Bowden, his suspension was the result of a "University issue" and the coaches should know his status later today. Here to view this Link..

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