Injuries mounting for Michigan State's o-line
By NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio is rearranging the depth chart for his offensive line and not just because the group was ineffective last weekend.
The Spartans are facing mounting injuries up front, which could affect the team's previously impressive running game and its ability to protect quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Tackle Skyler Burkland is expected to miss the rest of the season after dislocating his left ankle in Saturday's 31-13 loss at Notre Dame. Dantonio disclosed two more injuries Tuesday, saying offensive linemen Jared McGaha and Blake Treadwell both have MCL injuries.
"We lose three offensive linemen in three or four days' time, but you deal with it," Dantonio said. "You stay the course."
Dantonio hopes McGaha, a tackle with four career starts, can return for the Michigan game Oct. 15. Treadwell has started all three games at center this season. Dantonio said only that he'll miss this weekend's game against Central Michigan.
The offensive line was already a question mark for the Spartans after they lost three starters from last season, and now the team's depth will be tested even more. McGaha was hurt in practice leading up to the Notre Dame game. Burkland and Treadwell were able to play but are out now.
"We always preach that the next guy's got to be ready, because you never know when you're going to get your time in," guard Joel Foreman said. "As a player that's out there, you never know when your last play's going to be. ... The next guy has been out there practicing, working just as hard in film and his playbook."
Michigan State ran for only 29 yards against the Irish, and when the Spartans were trying to rally late in the game, they were called for several holding penalties that slowed down the comeback attempt. Two of those holding calls went against Foreman, a senior captain who didn't recall being flagged much for that infraction last year.
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