The Texas A&M receiving corps seems to be catching everything, but a break.
On Monday, Jimbo Fisher confirmed speculation that sophomore receiver Caleb Chapman will miss the remainder of his season with an injury to his right knee.
“It looks like he has had an injury and will probably be out for the rest of the year,” Fisher said in a Monday press conference.
There are unconfirmed reports that Chapman tore his anterior cruciate ligaments after catching a 51-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kellen Mond in the fourth quarter to forge a tie in A&M’s 41-38 victory over Florida.
It was an obviously disappointing end to the best game of Chapman’s career. He had nine catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. He also another 49-yard catch that set up a touchdown earlier in the game.
His replacement in the A&M lineup is uncertain.
Junior Hezekiah Jones — who has also been injured — was listed as Chapman’s backup on last week’s depth chart. Freshman Kenyon Jackson and Dylan Wright are also listed at Chapman’s position.
Two weeks ago, Chase Lane, Jalen Preston and Kam Brown were the starting receivers against Alabama. Chapman’s injury might also thrust heralded freshman prospect Demond Demas into action.
Chapman’s was the latest in a rash of injuries and attrition to A&M receivers.
Tight ends Baylor Cupp (shoulder) and Blake Smith (knee) sustained season-ending injuries in August camp.
Jones hasn’t played since 2018. He missed last season with an Achilles injury. He hasn’t played yet this season because of an unspecified injury.
Senior Kamron Buckley also sustained a season-ending knee injury in August camp. Further, senior Jhamon Ausbon — last season’s leading receiver — decided to opt out and not play this year.
The Aggies might appear snake bit at those positions, but Fisher doesn’t think so.
“That’s ball, man,” Fisher said. “I’ve been in this game long enough. You’re always snake bit. That’s the way it always is.
“Next guy up. We have great opportunities for young guys to come up. We’ve got a lot of guys who have played. We’ll figure out what we’re going to do and go forward.”
The Aggies still have receiver threats.
Tight end Jalen Wydermyer has 15 catches for 154 yards. Running back Ainias Smith, who has played receiver, has 12 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Lane has 14 catches of 152 yards and a touchdown.
But there’s no denying that the loss of Chapman is significant.
“That a big loss,” Wydermyer said. “I’ve seen him grow ever since high school. I played against him in high school. I knew he was a dog when he came here. He’s finally getting his chance to shine. For something like that to happen, it sucks, but it’s football.
“It gives other players a platform to step up and show what they’ve got, but it’s a tough loss to lose, especially somebody that can go up and get the ball like he can. He’s a game-changer.”
Notes: Fisher explained A&M’s strategy in the last two games to fair catch kickoffs and start possessions at the 25-yard line, saying: “If you average 25 yards on a kickoff return, you’ll be in the Top 10 in the country. Looks at the stats. If you look at guys returning them out, not very many kicks are coming outside of the 25.” He also added A&M would return kicks in some games. … Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond was named the Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the victory over Florida. Mond shared the honor with Alabama running back Najee Harris. Mond passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the win.
