NEWS: Tyreem Powell to miss the remainder of the season

A Rutgers defense that was playing at an extremely high level this season just took a big blow.

On Tuesday, head coach Greg Schiano announced that Tyreem Powell will miss the remainder of the season with a hand injury that will require surgery.

“His hand is going to need surgery so he’s going to be out for a while, probably for the remainder of the season,” Schiano said.

“Tyreem will heal up and he’ll be well again. I’m confident of that. It’s just a shame that happened to him.”

Rutgers will enter its bye week after a 31-14 victory over Indiana that brought on bowl eligibility. This will give the coaching staff a chance to figure out how to replace Powell in the lineup.

Powell has one year of eligibility remaining so he will be able to decide whether he wants to return for the 2024 season or enter the NFL Draft. He logged a team-high 53 tackles with two sacks and two pass breakups prior to his injury.

Mohamed Toure returned from injury this season and has made a huge impact in the middle of the defense. Rutgers also features Deion Jennings and Moses Walker, who missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL.

“Thank goodness we have some depth,” Schiano said. “But now that depth will be tested, not only the immediate depth but the young guys behind them. It’s somebody’s opportunity now. They need to step up and take advantage of it.”

The coaching staff will begin to look at options to replace its leading tackler this season but all depth will have to be used. The defense has been the strength of this Rutgers Football team and hopefully that continues moving forward.

“We’re going to move some things around probably. Next man up.”