Key stars could be sidelined for the No. 3 Aggies this Saturday. Can they overcome injuries and keep their playoff dreams alive against South Carolina?
The No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies return to Kyle Field this weekend for their first home game in nearly five weeks, but they could be missing some serious firepower.
After ripping through a perfect 3-0 road trip against Arkansas, LSU and Missouri, A&M's toughest opponent this week might not be the Gamecocks.
It's the injury report.
Head coach Mike Elko's team is riding high at 9-0 and deep in the College Football Playoff race, but Saturday's matchup against South Carolina could test the program's depth at every level.
The most alarming name on the list is star wideout Mario Craver, who's officially questionable.
The transfer from Mississippi State was one of the most electric players in the SEC through the first month of the season, torching defenses with three straight 100-yard outings, including a 207-yard eruption against Notre Dame.
But since then, opponents have made it a point to shadow him, holding him under 80 yards since Week 6. But even when the yards slowed, his impact didn't.
With 46 catches for 775 yards and a gaudy 16.8 yards per catch, Craver is still Marcel Reed's go-to weapon and the heartbeat of A&M's vertical attack.
His absence would strip the Aggies of their top downfield threat and a key first-down machine.
His last trip to the end zone came against his former team on a seven-yard rushing play that marked the first rushing score of his career.
Unfortunately, Craver isn't the only injury concern.
The Aggies' injury report is stacked with crucial names. Bryce Anderson, Le'veon Moss and Rashad Johnson Jr. are all OUT for the South Carolina game.
Anderson's return from a terrifying stretcher incident against Notre Dame will have to wait. Moss, who exited the Florida matchup with an ankle injury, remains sidelined, while Johnson Jr. continues to rehab a lower-body injury.
On defense, Scooby Williams is listed as doubtful, another blow to Elko's front seven. Thankfully, sophomore Daymion Sanford has answered the bell, flashing sideline-to-sideline range and timely stops over the past three weeks.
Even with the injuries piling up, this team's DNA is toughness. A&M has thrived on a "next man up" mentality all season, and they'll need it once again on Saturday to keep their playoff dream alive.
The Aggies kick off against South Carolina at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Craver's status looms large, but even banged up, Texas A&M still walks onto Kyle Field as a heavyweight ... just one desperate to prove it can win. ugly too.