MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A minor shoulder injury kept WVU offensive lineman Josh Sills out for the N.C. State game, but Brown said a pre-existing injury was the cause for missing the Kansas game, which forced Sills to have surgery Monday that will sideline him for the rest of the season.
Brown said Sills’ injury was a “normal football injury,” but did not want to disclose specifics due to potential HIPAA violations.
“I hate that for him, but it’s necessary,” Brown said. “He is recovering well.”
In his place, Chase Behrndt and John Hughes will continue to rotate at right guard, while Michael Brown will get back in the rotation, though he’s played left guard through the first four games.
Neal Brown wants to see more guards in the rotation anyway, and with Sills done for the year, it will be a necessity.
“In the [Kansas game], we wanted to play six or maybe seven, and we ended up playing the whole way with five,” Brown said. “I think that was because we got off to a good start, and coach (Matt) Moore felt more comfortable playing those five. I think you’ll see John Hughes continue to play, you’ll see Mike Brown definitely get into the rotation. Junior (Uzebu) is someone we’ve been repping a lot. He’s been playing behind Colton (McKivitz at left tackle).”
Brown also mentioned Blaine Scott and Adam Stilley as likely candidates to break into the lineup, as well as true freshman Brandon Yates and Parker Moorer, though Brown doesn’t think they’re ready to play yet.
