The Texas A&M football program has just suffered a major blow to their team.
Rising sophomore Rueben Owens is expected to miss the whole 2024 season. Expected to have a breakout season, this certainly is unfortunate news for Aggie fans.
While this takes a toll on the Aggie ground game, it's not necessarily a gigantic blow to the Aggies.
The question now: how will quarterback Connor Weigman's role be affected by this injury?
Aggie QB Connor Weigman has more weight on his back
Owens was expected to carry the load of the running back depth along with Le'Veon Moss and Amari Daniels.
Now, with a thin room at the position, Weigman will be looked at as a player to step up. Of course, he's already one who's already under pressure with an injury prone history.
Weigman was once a five-star recruit coming out of Bridgeland High School in Cypress, TX. Aggie fans have been waiting for him to produce at the college level for quite some time now.
Owens is a player that could've also helped Weigman as his check down man out of the backfield. Expect Daniels to handle more of those duties as well as carrying the football.
Speaking of Aggie players who can break out, Weigman has an opportunity to be that player for Texas A&M. He's already primed to be in such position with Noah Thomas in 2024.
Or what about the connection he's had this offseason with Jahdae Walker? Walker was the leader on the team in 100-yard receptions last season. These are all weapons that will be looked at for Weigman to turn to.
Owens is the perfect player for this team in a Collin Klein offense to utilize his abilities. So, what does this mean for Weigman?
Head coach Mike Elko might decide to go to the air a lot more. The Aggie offense might have to depend on his receivers more often compared to on the ground. The offensive linemen for the Aggies are also at a make-or-break point this season. If they can protect well on the ground game, maybe not so much pressure will be on Weigman's back,
But because this is also a make-or-break season for Weigman, the pressure is already on him, and with the injury to Owens, the weight on Weigman's back might've just gotten slightly heavier.