Florida State is set to take on conference foe Louisville in a top-10 matchup this Saturday, but they will be without standout sophomore safety Derwin James for “some time” after suffering a knee injury against Charleston Southern.
The USA TODAY Sports preseason All-American was extremely disruptive in No. 2 Florida State’s comeback victory over Ole Miss the opening week, leading the team with eight tackles and intercepting a pass early in the contest.
After registering three tackles against Charleston Southern, James was carted off the field in the third quarter. FSU led 35-6 at the half.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher describes the injury as a torn cartilage in his knee, and said it could’ve been worse. He also mentioned that the timetable for James could range from “two weeks to six weeks.”
According to the Seminoles’ depth chart, sophomore AJ Westbrook is in line to fill in for James. Westbrook is three inches shorter than the injured Derwin James.
Derwin James is out vs. LOU. Why was the nation's best defender playing up 42-6 in the 3Q? https://t.co/zeisc8DPVb pic.twitter.com/SzNsTUgCZ2
— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 12, 2016
Fisher defended his decision to keep in the starter in a blowout, seeing as the Seminoles led by 36 points at the time of the injury.
No.10 Louisville hosts the No.2 Seminoles at noon Saturday on ABC.