How Tyreem Powell’s injury impacts the Rutgers defense

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano announced on Tuesday that starting linebacker Tyreem Powell is likely lost for the season with a broken hand.

“Unfortunately, Tyreem’s hand is going to need surgery, so he’s going to be out for a while,” Schiano said. “Probably the remainder of the season.”

This is a big loss for a defense that’s graded the top tackling team in college football per Pro Football Focus.

Powell leads Rutgers with 53 tackles this season through eight games. He also has 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups, one forced fumble and just three missed tackles through eight games. His tackling grade of 83.8 was the second highest of any defensive starter, behind only Shaquan Loyal.

“Tyreem was playing at a very, very high level, so he’ll be a very tough player to put replace,” Schiano said. “Thank goodness we have some depth. But now that depth will be tested — not only the immediate depth but the young guys behind them. But it’s somebody’s opportunity now. They need to step up and take advantage of it. Tyreem will heal up and he’ll be well again, I’m confident of that. It’s just a shame it happened to him.”

While Rutgers does have depth at linebacker, it will change the defense’s dynamic and impact rotations.

After missing the second half against Michigan State after the questionable targeting call against him, Mo Toure shifted into Powell’s spot at linebacker. Rutgers had more versatility in moving Toure around by lining him up on the edge and even as a third linebacker at times. Now he’ll likely play some or most of his snaps in the middle of the defense filling in for Powell.

Other players who could have more opportunity at linebacker now are Jamier Wright-Collins, who will miss the first half against Ohio State after a targeting call against Indiana, as well as Timmy Hinspeter, who could play more against the Buckeyes now. He had a season high 3 tackles against the Hoosiers.

“He knows his job,” Schiano said of the walk-on on Tuesday. “He does a good job. He works really hard. He’s a great teammate, helps everybody develop, very smart guy, dependable guy.”

He played 15 snaps against Indiana following Powell’s departure in the third quarter. Former 4-star linebacker Moses Walker could play as well, although he hasn’t seen the field since the second game of the season.

Schiano said on Tuesday of Walker, “He’s doing well. Saturday (against Indiana), his position didn’t fit what we were doing. But yeah, Moses is doing very well. Moses will be really fine linebacker here. He’s just learning the position. He missed the whole year (in 2022) and then he missed one of the games so he missed all that whole week of preparation. He’s getting there. He’s doing very well.”

It’s not just linebacker that can be impacted by Powell’s injury. How Rutgers rotates along the defensive line could be impacted as well.

If Toure does in fact play more in Powell’s spot, it opens up more snaps potentially for Kenny Fletcher and Jordan Thompson on the edge. In addition, Rutgers could elect to keep Aaron Lewis exclusively on the edge and rotate more players inside along the defensive line. If Rene Konga returns from injury after missing the past few games, it will give them a key piece inside.

The Rutgers defense has become even better this season and Powell has made a big impact. Losing him is a major loss. However, there is depth on defense and how Schiano and defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak adjust with personnel will be interesting to watch for.