WVU Football Slowly Getting Healthier, Expecting Key Player Back Against OSU

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Aside from discussing the loss to Houston, another topic that WVU football head coach Neal Brown had to address during his weekly press conference on Monday is the health of the team.

Leading up to the trip to Houston, Brown had said that certain players would be game-time decisions and others would need to be evaluated more before returning to the field. This, of course, stems from several players exiting West Virginia’s win over TCU the week before the bye.

But since WVU had to go without Aubrey Burks, Wyatt Milum and Tomas Rimac against the Cougars, Brown was asked what the new status update is on those players. Brown says he’s confident Milum will be back against Oklahoma State. However, Burks needs to keep progressing. He then added the UCF game the following week is target as the earliest for Tomas Rimac to return.

WVU HC Neal Brown says he’s confident Wyatt Milum will be back against Oklahoma State. Aubrey Burks needs to keep progressing. UCF is earliest for Tomas Rimac.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) October 16, 2023

Burks had to be carted off the field against TCU and spent a couple nights in a Fort Worth, Texas hospital. He rejoined the team, along with linebacker Trey Lathan who will miss the remainder of the season, the Wednesday after the game. Burks’ tests results were negative and has been walking under his own power. All good signs for his overall health, but his playing status is still unclear.

Rimac also left the game and was replaced at left guard by Brandon Yates. Even though his injury did not appear to be severe at the time and he did limp off the field, it now appears like he will have to miss time while recovering.

Milum endured being racked in the eye and Brown previously compared his situation to a boxer and said his eye was too shut for him to go back in and play.

WVU football will meet Oklahoma State at Milan Puskar Stadium this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm ET and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.