Texas Tech starting defensive lineman listed as questionable for week one

This fall, the Texas Tech football program is being more transparent than ever with its injury situations. It has been announced that each week, injury updates from the Red Raiders will be provided every Monday and then again 45 minutes prior to each game.

That practice began this week and one notable player who showed up on the injury list is starting nose tackle Quincy Ledet Jr. He is listed as questionable to play due to a lower leg injury.

Two other Red Raider defenders, junior outside linebacker Charles Esters III and redshirt freshman defensive back Javeon Wilcox are listed as out for week one. However, Ledet is the Red Raider who would be missed most.

This season, Ledet is supposed to help fill the shoes of Jaylon Hutchings, who is currently trying to make his way in the NFL. A season ago, Hutchings made 44 tackles (7.5 for loss) and for his career, he was credited with 193. He was one of the most physical and reliable defensive tackles that the program has featured in quite some time.

That's why Ledet is so important. Last year, the 315-pounder was Hutchings' primary backup making 20 tackles.

Now, he has won the starting job at nose tackle. However, his season debut could be delayed due to his injury.

If Hutchings doesn't play, Tech should be in decent shape, especially against Abilene Christian. That's because the program expects to rotate six defensive tackles this year.

In fact, there are two senior defensive tackles on the depth chart behind Ledet. Listed second is De'Braylon Carroll, a super-senior who played five seasons a Rice before coming to Tech. For his career, he has 42 appearances and 101 tackles.

Nevada transfer James Hansen is third on the depth chart at nose tackle. Also a super-senior who is in his first year as a Red Raider, he has played in 29 games making 46 tackles as a collegiate.

Of course, the Red Raiders would prefer that Ledet is available this weekend. However, given that the opponent on Saturday night is an FCS program, it would not be wise to take any unnecessary risks if he isn't at full health.

What's more, all offseason, head coach Joey McGuire and defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter have touted the program's depth on the defensive side of the football. Now, it appears that depth might be leaned on in the first game of the season.