Michigan State football loses another key player for 6-8 weeks

Michigan State football has lost yet another key player to a long-term injury as Chance Rucker is out 6-8 weeks.

Another week, another long-term injury for Michigan State football.

It feels like the Spartans can’t catch a break with the injuries after having good luck all preseason long as they lost Dillon Tatum, Khalil Majeed, and Alante Brown potentially for the season in Week 1. Well, two more names have been added to that “long-term injury” list.

The first was Kristian Phillips who was announced as out for the foreseeable future after the Maryland win and then Jonathan Smith told reporters on Monday that sophomore cornerback Chance Rucker is also out.

Smith says sophomore CB Chance Rucker is a longer term injury.

6-8 weeks was his estimate.

— Kenny Jordan (@Kenny_Jordan5) September 9, 2024

This one hurts because defensive back depth has already taken a massive hit with Tatum and Majeed out, but Rucker’s injury also means that he may have to burn a redshirt this year. If he’s only played in two games and will miss most of the rest of the season, it may be a wise idea to shut him down and use a redshirt, especially since it feels like he has a bright future in East Lansing.

Michigan State’s pass defense was heavily tested against Maryland and the Terps were able to get the ball moving through the air so losing a key contributor who is supposed to be a plus player hurts.

Rucker only had one tackle this season in two games but he was getting some snaps and was in the regular playing rotation at cornerback, but that will have to be put on hold until at least late-October or November.

It’s wild how players who put on a Michigan State uniform instantly become 10 times more likely to suffer a long-term lower-body injury.

Let’s hope Rucker heals up and comes back even more effective than he was pre-injury. And let’s hope he comes back soon.