The 3-2-1: Injury report coming, Ross-Ade ready and who will snap ball?

Now hear this: Purdue will issue an injury report. Yes, Ross-Ade Stadium will be ready. Keep an eye on RB Tyrone Tracy. All that and more in the 3-2-1.

Three things learned

1 – Injury info at your fingertips

Purdue will issue an injury report on Thursday. The NFL has distributed such reports for years. So, this is an idea whose time has come, especially with widespread legalized gambling. Too bad there is no Big Ten-wide–or national–injury report.

Designations are expected to be “out,” “doubtful,” “questionable” and “probable” designations. Out means out; doubtful means a 25 percent chance to play; questionable means a 50 percent chance to play; probable means a virtual certainty of playing.

2 – Ross-Ade Stadium will be ready

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked if Ross-Ade Stadium will be ready for the opener … well, you know, I’d have roughly $11.75. Anyway … yes, I have been assured for weeks that Purdue’s football home will be ready on Saturday’s opener vs. Fresno State.

Will every last detail of the $45 million upgrade be buttoned up? Nope. But, everything needed to function on game day with fans will be in place. Game on!

3 – S Dillon Thieneman looks poised for big things

It has been an impressive ascent for the true freshman from Westfield (Ind.) High. Thieneman began making waves in the spring after arriving early. And he continued to impress in camp to the point where he’ll be with the first-team on Saturday vs. Fresno State.

“In the weight room and on the field, he’s on top of the board in everything,” said fifth-year safety Cam Allen, who lined up alongside Brennan in 2019 and 2020. “Through my eyes, it’s a whole bunch of things that I ain’t seen a true freshman do in a long time.”

Two questions

1 – Who will start at center on Saturday?

Purdue’s offensive line is in flux as No. 1 center Gus Hartwig is expected to be out for the opener as recovers from offseason knee surgery, and backup snapper Josh Kaltenberger may not be ready to go as he is coming off a knee injury incurred in camp. That means Colorado transfer Austin Johnson could be snapping vs. Fresno State.

There’s also a 50-50 chance No. 1 left tackle Mahamane Moussa may be out as he deals with a lower leg issue. That means Daniel Johnson could get the start vs. the Bulldogs opposite right tackle Marcus Mbow.

2 – How good will QB Hudson Card look?

The praise has been steady for the Texas transfer since he arrived in January. His ability to extend plays stands out to the point where his ability to run will surprise people. Card is legit fast. Couple that with his arm, and Card may end up being one of the bigger surprises in the Big Ten this season.

One prediction: Tyrone Tracy will be impactful

His move from receiver to running back in the offseason will pay dividends. He grew up playing the position before moving to wideout when he went to Iowa in 2018. But Tracy never was a natural pass-catcher.

His skill-set will be amplified as a ballcarrier–and pass-catcher–out of the backfield working in concert with Devin Mockonbee and emerging as a legit weapon in this Air Raid-based offense.

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