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San Diego State To Get Christian Chapman Back For New Mexico Game
Chapman will not take over the job but get some reps.
Look for RB Juwan Washington to also see playing time.
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San Diego State football has been winning despite being without most of its starting backfield, but that is slowly coming to an end as quarterback Christian Chapman is going to see the field this Saturday against New Mexico.
“He’s going to play,” head coach Rocky Long said via the San Diego Union-Tribune. “They haven’t come up with the exact plan yet, but somewhere in the first half they’re going to put Christian in, they’re going to see how he looks and make sure he looks like he’s OK and can protect himself and then we’ll go from there.”
Chapman has been out since he suffered an MCL sprain during the Aztecs 28-14 win over Sacramento State. In his absence, the Aztecs have gone 5-1 with the one loss coming last week against Nevada.
Last week, Chapman was fourth in line and the emergency quarterback, but Long said he has not even taken any live reps as of Monday but that is probably more of being cautious.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton wants to see Chapman do certain things before he is anointed as the starter.
“He’s got to shake off two months of inactivity and get up to game speed,” Horton said after Tuesday’s practice. “It will be different than practice. You actually have guys chasing you that want to hurt you and get after you. I always say he’s got to be able to protect himself. That’s the thing I’m looking for.”
Also, the ability to avoid defenders and navigate the pocket with his legs will be closely looked at.
“Just be able to scramble,” Horton said. “The first time that happens, you’ll be able to tell he’s running full speed or he’s not. That will be pretty clear to see.”
Chapman could be rejoined by his backfield mate Juwan Washington. The starting running back suffered a broken collarbone in the first half of the overtime win over Eastern Michigan, and the six-week timeframe to heal equals this week.
Before being injured, Washington was having a very productive season with 513 yards and five touchdowns and was one of the top rushers in the NCAA after just four games.
In his place has been Chase Jasmin who has rushed for 545 in Washington’s absence plus Chance Bell has contributed as well in keeping the ground game going.
Fullback Isaac Lessard has also been out with a neck injury and could return in some capacity this week against New Mexico.
It should be noted that Lessard ans Washington have been full participants in practice this week.
“They’re going to make the decision later in the week whether they’re going to play,” Long said.
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