Mississippi State football injury report vs Arizona State: Kelly Akharaiyi warming up
Mississippi State football is set to kickoff their Week 2 game with Arizona State shortly, and we have some important injury news ahead of kickoff.
WR Kelly Akharaiyi warming up in Tempe, season debut possible
UTEP-transfer WR Kelly Akharaiyi has made the trip to Tempe and warmed up ahead of tonight's matchup with Arizona State per 247 Sports' Steve Robertson. While he has not yet officially been announced as playing, it appears that he is trending towards making his debut as a Bulldog.
Akharaiyi was State's top portal addition in the WR room. He recorded over 1000 yards at 21.5 yards per catch at UTEP in 2023. The expectation entering the season was that he would become Blake Shapen's go-to target this fall. We'll see if he takes the field tonight.
DL Kalvin Dinkins OUT vs Arizona State
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they'll be without an important piece on the defensive line. According to 247 Sports' Justin Frommer, Kalvin Dinkins did not make the trip to Tempe and is out tonight against the Sun Devils.
Dinkins went down with injury during last week's win over EKU. Jeff Lebby said in his weekly press conference that he was progressing nicely and would be a game-time decision, but it seems they chose to hold him out this week. The Bulldogs will also be without SS Corey Ellington, who missed last week as well.
Arizona State injuries against Mississippi State
There are no new injuries for Arizona State according to Locked-On Sun Devils' Richie Bradshaw. Projected starters Sean Na'a, DL Prince Dorbah, and LB Tate Romney are out for the first few weeks of the season. RB Raleek Brown practiced for ASU this week but will not play. TE Jayden Fortier is also out. None played against Wyoming in Week 1.
How do State's injuries impact the game?
If Akharaiyi can make his debut for the Bulldogs, he adds another dynamic option to an already explosive group of receivers. He's simply another threat ASU has to account for. Losing Dinkins is a big blow for the Bulldogs, however. State needs to win the battle in the trenches to slow down the ASU offense, and not having Dinkins makes that more challenging. State will need it's other interior lineman to step up.