WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football has plenty of questions and concerns as fall camp opens.
But one area the Boilermakers don’t have to worry about, knock on wood Purdue fans, is injuries.
Unlike a year ago when coach Ryan Walters and staff began fall camp with key players sidelined or unable to participate full tilt, Purdue opened with nearly everyone suited and ready to go on Wednesday.
“It’s about as healthy as I’ve been going into a camp (as a team) for sure,” Walters said at last week’s Big Ten Media Days.
That proved of exceptional value on Wednesday as the Boilermakers were able to line up full ones versus ones in team situations.
More: Will Purdue football’s defense follow Ryan Walters’ track record of turnarounds?
“Coming in to camp and to operate throughout a whole season, having a full room of guys definitely beneficial for all of us so none of us get overworked coming into the season with too many reps,” running back Devin Mockobee said.
There were a few notable exceptions, namely defensive lineman Joe Anderson, who was off to the side with an apparent minor injury.
But overall, the (lack of) injury report is a promising start to the 2024 season.
“With coach Ro (strength coach Kiero Small) and the training staff with AJ (head athletic trainer AJ Van Valkenburgh) and them, they’ve gotten us right,” said Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman, who on Wednesday was named to the Jim Thorpe Watch List for the nation’s top defensive back. “They’re definitely making us more strong overall, more healthy and allow us to recover better so we can all be on the field performing.”
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue’s roster was mostly full go at the start of fall camp
