Velazquez could return to lineup in late December
LARAMIE -- Arguably no one on the Cowboys' roster has faced more adversity than offensive lineman Alonzo Velazquez.
Wyoming's 302-pound starting right tackle suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder last week, during of all things, a walk-though.
The senior from Janesville, Wisc., can't seem to catch a break.
Velazquez appeared in just five games in 2018 before microfracture surgery in his right knee prematurely ended his season. Last fall, he played in nine games. Another midseason knee injury cost Velazquez three games, though he did return for the final three games of the regular season and the Arizona Bowl.
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Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl told the media Monday night there's a possibility Velazquez could return this season.
"It will depend on how deep we play into December," Bohl said over a Zoom call. "His injury is going to take him to pretty deep into December (before he would likely be recovered)."
The Mountain West title game is slated for Dec. 19.
Sophomore Frank Crum gained valuable experience at the tackle spot last year in place of Velazquez and could slide into the starter's role this fall. The 6-foot, 7-inch, 314-pound Laramie product appeared in all 12 games last season, including five starts.
Whether or not Velazquez can return, Bohl pointed to an NCAA waiver that will allow the senior an extra year in Laramie.
"What is unique this year is no one loses a year of eligibility even if they play in only one game," he said. "So, it wouldn’t be like he burned a year of eligibility if he came back toward the end of the season. We hope to have him back.”
Wyoming returns the most veteran-laden offensive line in college football with 123 combined starts and eight multi-game starters. That's not counting the 23 career games Velazquez has started.