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As the Cal Bears prepare to host Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon, the team faces significant uncertainty with eight players listed as questionable on the injury report. Among those in question are several key starters, leaving the Bears' lineup in flux ahead of the crucial matchup.
Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, running back Adam Mohammed, wide receiver Chase Hendricks, and safety Kingston Lopa—all vital contributors—are each considered questionable, giving them roughly a 50-50 chance of suiting up. Additionally, potential starters linebacker Kamar Mothudi and safety Aiden Manutai are also questionable, along with offensive lineman Ben Howard and defensive lineman Ashun Shepphard. The silver lining for Cal is that all eight players still have a chance to play on Saturday.
Further positive news for the Bears is that Carter Vargas, the team's No. 2 running back and kickoff returner, is absent from the injury report. This suggests Vargas will be available after missing several games with an injury, though it does not guarantee he will see action against the Hokies after his extended absence.
Sagapolutele, who exited last week's game with a concussion late in the first half, remains questionable as he progresses through the concussion protocol. If he is unable to play, Jackson Brousseau would step in as the starter. Brousseau performed admirably in the second half against UNLV, throwing for 200 yards and guiding the Bears to 24 second-half points.
Mohammed, Cal's leading rusher, sat out last week's game after sustaining an injury against Clemson. Should he be unavailable, Vargas would likely start, with Ashten Emory also seeing playing time. Freshman Tyee Sams could also feature if Mohammed cannot go.
Hendricks leads the team in receptions with 32 for 267 yards. If he is sidelined, Cooper Perry will assume a larger role, joining starting wide receiver Ian Strong and tight ends Taimane Purcell and Mason Mini.
Lopa, who leads the nation in interceptions with five, has arguably been Cal's best player this season. He played just one snap last week before leaving with a concussion.
Mothudi has been a consistent contributor on defense. If he is unable to play, Tristan Jernigan will likely start at inside linebacker alongside AJ Tuitele.
Jake Curtis spent 27 years in the San Francisco Chronicle sports department, covering a wide range of events including numerous Final Fours, several college football national championship games, an NBA Finals, world championship boxing matches, and a World Cup. He served as a Cal beat writer for many of those years and earned awards for his feature stories.
Originally reported by headtopics.