Injury Report & Depth Chart Against Kansas

Rutgers has released its weekly injury report ahead of Saturday's Homecoming game, and a few big names are uncertain for the showdown with the Jayhawks.

Defensive captain Darius Hamilton made a surprise return against Penn State, despite being listed as out. The defensive tackle did not start, and while his impact on the game may have been minimal, it was still incredibly relieving to see his injury is not so serious that it would keep him off the field for a full season.

Hamilton (lower body) is listed as questionable for the Kansas game, so he'll be a name to keep an eye on throughout the week. Despite playing last week, he is still eligible for a medical redshirt, so if he doesn't feel he can play at 100% this season, that is still an option.

DE Djwany Mera (lower body) is also listed as questionable after suffering an injury against Penn State last week. He was down for a minute, but managed to walk off the field under his own power. If he is forced to sit out, the Scarlet Knights will likely start Quanzell Lambert and Kemoko Turay at defensive end.

Also listed as questionable is OG Chris Muller, who limped off the field on Saturday after what appeared to be a serious injury to his right foot or ankle. The "questionable" tag suggests it wasn't too serious. Rutgers will hope the junior can start on Saturday, or they will be forced to once again turn to redshirt freshman Marcus Applefield.

DE Kemoko Turay (upper body) is listed as probable as he looks for his first big game of the season. RB Paul James (lower body) is also probable. Playing through an injury could explain his rough game against Penn State, where he recorded just seven yards on ten carries. Paul's brother DB Ronnie James (lower body) and punter Tim Gleeson (lower body) are probable as well.

The following players have been ruled out for Saturday's game against Kansas: TE George Behr (lower body), WR Jawuan Harris (lower body), WR Dontae Owens (lower body), RB Desmon Peoples (upper body), LB Nick Rafferty (upper body), LB Austin Rosa (lower body), RB Charles Snorweah (upper body), LB T.J. Taylor (lower body), and OL Jacquis Webb (lower body).

Here's a look at the depth chart released today.

OFFENSE

QB: Chris Laviano/Hayden Rettig

RB: Paul James OR Josh Hicks OR Justin Goodwin OR Robert Martin

FB: Sam Bergen/Anthony Folkerts

TE: Nick Arcidiacono/Matt Flanagan OR Charles Scarff

WR: Carlton Agudosi/John Tsimis

WR: Andre Patton/Janarion Grant

LT: Keith Lumpkin/Zack Heeman

LG: Dorian Miller/Tariq Cole

C: Derrick Nelson/Zach Venesky

RG: Chris Muller/Marcus Applefield

RT: J.J. Denman/Ryan Brodie

* Despite many fans wanting Hayden Rettig to be put in last week's game, Laviano remains atop the depth chart. Of course, this could change, so stay tuned.

* The Scarlet Knights still list all four running backs as co-starters. Against Penn State, James had the most carries (ten) followed by Hicks (seven), Martin (five) and Goodwin (one).

* Arcidiacono is listed as the starting tight end, but Flanagan and Scarff have both seen plenty of time. In fact, while Arcidiacono had just two catches for seven yards last week, Flanagan had three for 26 yards, and Scarff had three for 16.

DEFENSE

DE: Quanzell Lambert/Kemoko Turay

NT: Sebastian Joseph/Kevin Wilkins

DT: Julian Pinnix-Odrick/Eric Wiafe OR Darius Hamilton

DE: Djwany Mera/Jimmy Hogan

WLB: Steve Longa/Deonte Roberts

MLB: Kaiwan Lewis/Isaiah Johnson

SLB: Quentin Gause/Eric Margolis OR Kevin Marquez

CB: Isaiah Wharton/Jarius Adams

FS: Anthony Cioffi/ Saquan Hampton

SS: Davon Jacobs/Andre Hunt OR Kiy Hester

CB: Blessuan Austin/Ronnie James

* It's refreshing to see Hamilton back on the depth chart, though it's not certain he will play Saturday. If not, Pinnix-Odrick will continue to fill in.

* While Hogan is listed as Mera's direct backup, if Mera misses Saturday's game, Turay is expected to get the start.

* No changes in the defensive backfield. The starting safeties are coming off a solid game against Penn State, highlighted by a Cioffi interception.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Kyle Federico/Chris Gough

P: Joey Roth/Michael Cintron

LS: Alan Lucy/Alex Hutchings

H: Joey Roth/Brian Verbitski

KR/PR: Janarion Grant/Josh Hicks

* Federico scored Rutgers' only points against Penn State, nailing a 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. On the season, Federico is three-for-three on field goal attempts, and his only miss came on extra point attempt against Washington State.

* Grant will continue to be Rutgers' primary return man, despite seeing an increased role on offense.