SMU had to play without a few of its top offensive weapons in its ACC opener against Florida State.
The Mustangs announced before Saturday night’s game that junior LJ Johnson Jr. was ruled out with a concussion. Johnson was injured in the first half against TCU last week, and head coach Rhett Lashlee said Tuesday that Johnson would be day-to-day.
Lashlee also shared after the 42-16 win that wide receiver Romello Brinson missed the game with a knee injury. He is week-to-week, Lashlee said.
Johnson had appeared in all four games for SMU before Saturday, rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown.
His absence — paired with Tuesday’s announcement that Jaylan Knighton was out for the year with an injury — left Brashard Smith responsible for the bulk of the rushing load. Smith rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. He also left the game briefly in the first half with an injury but returned.
SMU used true freshman Derrick McFall and wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. at running back to account for the injuries.
Brinson, a senior, has seven catches for 92 yards this year.
SMU also saw starting defensive tackle go down with an injury against Florida State. Head coach Rhett Lashlee did not have an update postgame on Booker.
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