Week One of the college football season is just days away and, while the anticipation of a fresh start is unparalleled, there are always bumps along the road that try to steer you off the path.
One of the more prominent bumps is the annual news dump surrounding player injuries, as programs will try to withhold information through fall camp for as long as they can before eventually needing to disclose them before the season kicks off. This go-around for the Aggies has hit them at their greatest strength: the offensive line.
Isendre "Papa" Ahfua, a redshirt freshman who made his collegiate debut last season against New Mexico State, is now lost for the year with a lower-leg injury. Ahfua was slated to back up Chase Bisontis at left guard, and the team will now most likely turn to the room of Blake Ivy, Koli Faaiu and Ashton Funk in his absence.
Texas A&M must navigate offensive line injuries ahead of prospective banner year for group
That just adds to the hurt of losing five-star freshman Jerome Myles for the year. Head coach Mike Elko also announced that senior tackle Reuben Fatheree II, the backup to starting right tackle Dametrious Crownover, will miss "at least the first few weeks" with a lower-leg injury.
You never want to lose bodies in the trenches at any point of the season, let alone before a snap is even played. However, Texas A&M's offensive line is probably the deepest and most talented position group on the roster and the one most equipped to work around unfortunate injuries.
All five projected starters seem to be good to go for the season opener against UTSA, and the hope is that Fatheree II will be back in time for conference play to add some welcomed depth at the tackle position.
These ailments may not have a direct impact on how the team performs out of the gate, but it's certainly something to monitor as the year goes on for a team that hopes and expects to be contending for both a conference title and College Football playoff appearance.