It appears Oklahoma State could be without its starting quarterback for an extended period of time. Maybe. Possibly.
Here’s what’s known: early in OSU’s win over Missouri State, J.W. Walsh went down with some type of lower-leg injury. After heading into the locker room for X-rays, Walsh returned to the sidelines, where he spent the remainder of the game leaning on a pair of crutches.
Monday, head coach Mike Gundy shed little light on his starter’s status, saying only that Walsh would be reevaluated Tuesday. Two days before the Cowboys’ game against UT-San Antonio, there’s been no official word on Walsh’s availability.
Unofficially? It doesn’t look good.
According to KFOR-TV‘s Bob Barry, Jr., “Walsh underwent surgery Thursday in Oklahoma City for a lower leg/ankle injury.” The station reports that Walsh is expected to be out 6-8 weeks.
At the pessimistic end of that timeline, Walsh, a junior, wouldn’t be able to return until the Nov. 15 clash with Texas, the 10th game of their 12-game regular season. Optimistically, he could be back for the West Virginia game Oct. 25.
Should Walsh be out for any period of time, the Cowboys would turn to Daxx Garman. After replacing the injured starter, the junior competed 16-of-26 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
If the report is accurate, Garman will be making his first career start at the collegiate level against the Roadrunners.
UPDATE [6:15 p.m.]: The injury to Oklahoma State quarterback J.W. Walsh may be worse than initially feared. A report from FOX 23 in Stillwater cites a source which states Walsh is done for the season.
“A source told FOX23 the OSU junior starting quarterback had surgery on his foot Thursday and is out for the year,” Nathan Thompson reported. “OSU told FOX 23 it has no comment on if Walsh had surgery and that it won’t send out a news release on Walsh’s injury status in the future.”
In the course of a few days, Walsh’s injury has gone from “not as severe as we originally thought” to Walsh missing six to eight weeks and now possibly being out for the rest of the season. Whether or not Walsh returns this season, Oklahoma State must prepare for the UTSA Roadrunners with junior Daxx Garman at quarterback.