Iowa State football: Sam Richardson faces more injury concerns

Nov 17, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Sam Richardson (12)drops back to pass against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson has been under the microscope after suffering an ankle injury in the season opener, and unfortunately it’s something that will likely stick with him for the remainder of the season.

According to an Associated Press report released on Monday, Richardson suffered a “groin problem” that was likely due to compensating for his ankle injury.

Luckily, the Cyclones are coming off of a much-needed bye week that will see the return of original starting center Tom Farniok. He’ll try to help improve a young offensive line and to keep Richardson from facing a lot of pressure. Wide receiver Justin Coleman explained how significant Farniok is to the entire offense.

"“He’s a huge leader for us,” Coleman said. “He gets everybody in that right direction. He’s like another quarterback out there.” [AP]"

Still, Richardson is very important to Iowa State. Expectations were set high for the young quarterback after showing off his arm and running ability coming in during the final games of last season, and the offense was developed around using a zone-read offense.

"”Sam is moving much better than he did in the Iowa game, but he’s far from healthy,” coach Paul Rhoads said Monday. “It’s a lingering type of ankle injury that might bother him throughout the course of the season. So you start to adjust and deal with it, but he certainly was moving better in yesterday’s practice than he did even last week.” [AP]"

Richardson himself measures his health at “85 to 90 percent.” Iowa State will take everything they can get as they try to resurrect the season on Thursday night.