Florida State will be without second-string running back Mario Pender this weekend against Wake Forest.
According to Warchant.com, Pender suffered a collapsed lung during practice last Tuesday and remains hospitalized. Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that the junior could possibly be released from the hospital on Monday.
“I’m not a doctor, but his lung was fine and they still had a little bit they had to inflate back to,” Fisher said per the Orlando Sentinel. “He definitely won’t play this weekend.”
Pender is Florida State’s primary backup behind Dalvin Cook and has 140 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries so far this season. He rushed for 206 yards and four touchdowns while catching 10 passes for 56 yards and another score in 2014.
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Fisher was unsure if Pender would be able to return for the Oct. 10 game against Miami.
With Pender out, Fisher said Johnathan Vickers and Jacques Patrick “are ready” to contribute against Wake Forest. Vickers, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound sophomore caught a 24-yard touchdown in the season opener against Texas State. Patrick, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound freshman, has three carries for 13 yards this season.
The Seminoles, now ranked No. 11, are 3-0 this season headed into Saturday’s ACC contest at Wake Forest (2-2).
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!