Johnson fighting ankle injury, Collins says

The depth along Temple’s offensive line has certainly been tested through the Owls’ first seven games.

Redshirt sophomore Jovahn Fair, the starter at left guard for Temple’s first three games, has missed the last four games due to an unspecified injury.

Redshirt senior Leon Johnson, the starter at left tackle for all seven games this season, went down with an ankle injury on the second play of Saturday’s 28-24 loss to UConn at Lincoln Financial Field. Johnson was taken to the locker room in a cart but eventually returned to the sideline with his uniform on. He did not return to the game.

Temple is still hopeful that both Johnson and Fair could return for this Saturday’s trip to Army (noon on CBS Sports Network).

“It’s the opposite ankle that had hobbled (Johnson) in the past,” Collins said on the American Athletic Conference’s weekly coaches call. “He’s a tough kid. He’s just like a lot of our guys, trying to get back as soon as he can and get healthy.”

Collins said he is hopeful that there will be a “clearer picture” for Johnson’s status by Wednesday or Thursday.

Johnson had surgeries to three different body parts – his shoulder, hip and groin – throughout the course of the offseason, as he told OwlScoop.com during preseason camp. He missed all of spring practice and was limited for much of preseason camp.

As for Fair, Collins said he is “still hoping” that the Ohio native will be able to play against Army.

“He’s a tremendous player and a tremendous asset to the offensive line,” Collins said. “Obviously, we want him back. He’s a great player for us.”

Collins said he was “really proud” of redshirt junior James McHale, who came in as Johnson’s primary replacement at left tackle. The former Florida defensive coordinator also liked the play of redshirt freshman and former walk-on Vince Picozzi, who has become the full-time starting left guard in Fair’s absence.

True freshman quarterback Todd Centeio, who arrived on campus in January as a mid-year enrollee, will redshirt this season, as offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude told reporters after Temple’s loss to UConn. Collins confirmed that Centeio, who appeared sparingly in two games against UMass and USF, will redshirt during Monday’s coaches call.

“That has been the plan for a while,” Collins said. “Obviously, you can’t rule anything out. But he’s been doing a great job with the scout team. He’s such a competitor.”

Notes

Temple released its "above the line" depth chart on Monday afternoon. Linebacker Jeremiah Atoki was added to the list, while Fair was removed. Cornerback Derrek Thomas, who missed Temple's loss to UConn due to an unspecified injury, is still not listed. In the absence of Thomas, senior Sean Chandler, who started as a cornerback during his freshman and sophomore campaigns before moving to safety, was forced to play some of his former position against UConn because of depth issues.