Central Michigan to be thin in passing game for opener

Injuries leave the team coming up short Saturday.

Central Michigan will be short-handed in the passing game for Saturday’s season opener at Kentucky.

Senior wide receiver Devon Spalding has already been ruled out of the contest due to an undisclosed injury and tight end Logan Hessbrook’s status is uncertain, coach John Bonamego said Thursday, per the university’s school newspaper.

Spalding, one of four team captains, is being shifted from running back to wide receiver this season. He was limited to only four games in 2017, rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries.

However, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Spalding played in 11 games in 2016 and established career highs by rushing for 758 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 31 receptions for 204 yards and a score.

Starting tight end Hessbrook is in the return-to-play protocol and was listed as day-to-day by Bonamego.

“I don’t know if he will be ready by game time,” Bonamego told Central Michigan Life.

The 6-3, 238-pound Hessbrook appeared in three games in 2017, his first year with the program. He had 10 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Among the other players listed on the injury report is wide receiver Damon Terry, who appeared in eight games last season and had three receptions for 35 yards.