Linebacker Josh Chandler Expected Back For Kansas State

The West Virginia Mountaineers have been without starting linebacker Josh Chandler since the middle of October, after Chandler injured his knee in Norman, Oklahoma against the Oklahoma Sooners. Head coach Neal Brown announced that Chandler should be back in the lineup, “barring any injuries”. Chandler is currently third on the team in tackles with 49. The sophomore linebacker is also one of six Mountaineers to recover a fumble this season.

Chandler’s return to the lineup will go beyond just the defensive side as Chandler was also on the punt team. Against the Sooners, Chandlers absence led to a blocked punt that Oklahoma recovered in the endzone for a touchdown. Neal Brown has been meticulous in his special teams prep and getting a starter back for his punt unit will certainly help the first year coach worry less about that one facet of the game.

Wide receiver Sean Ryan has also been cleared to practice and Brown indicated that Ryan’s status would be reviewed later in the week.