Rutgers Football Spring Practice: Reinforcements Return From Injury

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back DK Gilley (25) against the Kansas State Wildcats during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J.

Rebilas-Imagn Images One storyline that should not be overlooked as Rutgers Football heads into spring camp is the number of guys who are returning from injury. Last season, the Scarlet Knights had 12 players listed as out for the season by the end of it, with several others getting significantly banged up along the way. With spring camp starting on Friday, these are a few position groups that should be receiving major reinforcements coming off injury throughout the spring and summer.

The Knights’ offensive line will receive major relief, as their top two left tackles from last season, Rider Langsdale and Dantae Chin, will be returning from injury, as well as experienced offensive lineman Nick Oliveira. That will help to offset their losses to graduation and the transfer portal, especially as they will receive reinforcements at arguably the most important position on the line. On top of that, the Knights’ defense will also receive some help, as linebacker Moses Walker, Safety DK Gilley, and DT Doug Blue-Eli, among others, will return from a season-ending injury.

Walker and Blue Eli are perhaps the two most impactful returners. Last season, the Knights’ interior defensive line was awful, as opposing running backs averaged at least 7 yards per carry against the Knights for the majority of last season. Blue-Eli was supposed to be a starter for Rutgers on their defensive line, but never played a snap last season due to injury.