Florida State Starting Running Back, Offensive Tackle To Miss Game Against Cal

The Seminoles have ruled out two more starters prior to Saturday night.

Apr 20, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Roydell Williams (24) runs the ball during the Spring Showcase at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images / Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Florida State will have to win its first game of the 2024 season without multiple starters. Injuries are already beginning to grow for the Seminoles during the early portion of a disappointing campaign.

According to a Florida State spokesperson, senior running back Roydell Williams and redshirt senior offensive tackle Robert Scott have been ruled out of the Saturday night matchup against Cal.

Williams started in each of the first three games and wasn't among the players that head coach Mike Norvell mentioned as dealing with an injury during the week. Scott has started at both of the tackle positions in the last two games while stepping into the lineup due to the absence of Jeremiah Byers and Darius Washington.

This is a disappointing revelation for an FSU offense already struggling to find any success on the ground. The Seminoles are only averaging 2.2 yards per attempt and 52 rushing yards per game - which ranks second to last in the country.

READ MORE: NoleGameday Staff Score Predictions For Florida State Seminoles vs. Cal Golden Bears

Williams does lead Florida State with two rushing touchdowns but he's averaged just 2.7 yards per attempt in his 20 carries which equates to 54 yards. The 2.7 YPC is about half of what Williams averaged last year (5.0 YPC) at Alabama.

Outside of Williams and Scott, the Seminoles have already ruled out redshirt senior offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers for the third straight game. Byers is dealing with a leg injury but seems to be progressing in the right direction. Senior linebacker Cam Riley is a game-time decision after going down in the first half last week.

There is some good news for Florida State as redshirt senior offensive tackle Darius Washington, redshirt junior safety Shyheim Brown, and redshirt freshman Jalen Brown will all be back in action. Brown didn't suit up last week while Washington went down in pregame warmups and Brown was injured early in the loss.

Without Williams, the Seminoles will probably lean on redshirt senior Lawrance Toafili, redshirt senior Caziah Holmes, and true freshman Kam Davis. It's also possible that redshirt freshman Samuel Singleton and true freshman Micahi Danzy see the field with Jaylin Lucas out for the year.

With Scott and Byers out of the lineup, redshirt sophomore Jaylen Early will likely start for the second straight game. Redshirt freshman Andre' Otto and senior Jacob Rizy could get involved at different junctures of the game depending on how Early performs.

Florida State and Cal are scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2.

---

READ MORE: FSU Football Labeled Most Disappointing Program This Season

Stick with NoleGameday for more FREE coverage of Florida State Football Throughout the 2024 Season

Follow NoleGameday on and Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

More Florida State News

• Florida State Releases Depth Chart For ACC Game Against Cal

•Three Key Matchups For FSU's Game Against New ACC Foe Cal

• How To Watch Florida State vs. Cal: Kickoff Time, TV Channel, and Odds

• Mike Norvell Expects At Least One Starter Back For FSU This Weekend