Is Kalvin Dinkins playing against Florida in Week 4? Latest injury updates.
Mississippi State football begins SEC play today at 11:00 AM CT in Starkville against the Florida Gators. With kickoff nearing, we have an official injury report for the Bulldogs.
Defensive lineman Kalvin Dinkins and Kedrick Bingley-Jones are OUT vs Florida
Mississippi State's interior defensive line depth will be tested against Florida on Saturday. Defensive tackles Kalvin Dinkins and Kedrick Bingley-Jones are both out for the SEC-opener. Dinkins will miss his third-straight game. The sophomore went down in the season-opener and hasn't returned. He also missed most of last season with injury. North Carolina-transfer Bingley-Jones suffered an injury last week, and after being questionable earlier in the week, he is officially out. Dinkins and Bingley-Jones are two of State's top DTs, and with Eric Taylor no longer on the roster, the depth there could be an issue today.
Three defensive backs out for the Bulldogs on Saturday
State's DB depth will be thin against the Gators. Backup CBs DeAgo Brumfield and Traveon Wright and backup safety Chris Keys are all out with injury. Not helping matters is reserve safety Tyler Woodard missing the first half today to serve a suspension for a targeting penalty committed last week. There is some good news in the secondary however. Starting safety Corey Ellington is active for the first time this season. Getting the veteran back should be a boost for the Bulldogs.
State without their kickoff specialist against the Gators
MSU kickoff specialist Marlon Hauck is out today for the Bulldogs. Hauck has been good in kickoffs this year, having allowed just three returns and none since Week 1. Punter Nick Barr-Mira seems to be the most likely replacement, as he primarily handled kickoff duties for State last season.
Freshman running back out for Mississippi State
Finally, freshman RB Xavier Gayten is out for State against Florida. Gayten's only action this season came in the season-opener, but if the run game continues to struggle for State, he may be a player they need to get back to try and spark something.