Source Reveals Timeline, Severity of Nicco Marchiol’s Injury

In the interest of providing WVU fans as much information as possible, WV Sports Now has learned more about Nicco Marchiol’s injury.

According to a trusted source who prefers to remain anonymous, Marchiol’s injury is far more serve than has been reported. Based on what WVSN has learned, Marchiol has a torn ligament in his foot that may require surgery.

If it does require surgery, something Marchiol and his family are trying to avoid, it will likely mean he will be unable to play in 2026. And to clarify, if Marchiol has surgery, that would then put his next season in serious jeopardy no matter where he ends up.

This same source confirmed Marchiol’s plans to transfer after the 2025 season, but also wanted to emphasize that was not his intention until it became clear that his departure would be in the best interest of the WVU program and own his personal career.

Also according to the source, Marchiol first noticed his injury early in the Pitt game. However, he was not taken out that game due to the injury. Marchiol did not disclose his injury at that time. His exit from the game was based on performance, something he rectified by returning and leading the Mountaineers to an emotional comeback victory.

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It’s possible Marchiol was dealing with the injury prior to the Backyard Brawl, but that was when he first realized it was an issue.

But regardless, this timeline means Marchiol was injured during his start at Kansas, a game that he struggles and then did eventually disclose his injury to the coaching staff.

A week after being crowned West Virginia’s hero for leading the Mountaineers to a comeback win over Pitt, Marchiol was only 15-of-27 for 127 yards as WVU struggled to find a rhythm on offense throughout most of the game in Lawrence. He also threw a pick and ran for -4 yards on six attempts on the ground.

WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez mentioned Marchiol’s injured foot in more detail during his weekly press conference the following week.

Later in that week, Rodriguez said Marchiol had seen multiple doctors about his injured foot, first in Colorado and then in Arizona.

“He called me yesterday. He’s out in Arizona, I believe. He’s seeing some doctors out there, and he told me that the one or two doctors that he talked to said that he had a foot problem and that he’s going to be out for several weeks. What I told him is we’ve got great doctors and trainers, so I want our doctors and trainers to communicate with his doctors so they get on the same page and know exactly what it is. He’s definitely out in the short-term, and then once their doctors talk to our doctors and trainers, we can figure out how long it’s going to be, I guess,” said Rodriguez on Sept. 29.

WVU quarterback Nicco Marchiol runs over a Robert Morris defender in the 2025 season opener. (WVSN photo by William Wotring)

Marchiol, who decided to stay an play for Rodriguez after spending three years under Neal Brown, has 720 passing yards, 56 yards on the ground, three total touchdowns and two picks in four game in 2025.

Overall at WVU, Marchiol has 1,462 passing yards, 341 rushing yards, 14 total touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Find more coverage of Nicco Marchiol and the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.