ASU injury updates after OL Ben Coleman, Max Iheanachor among players who exited opener

TEMPE — After two of Arizona State’s starting offensive linemen, center Ben Coleman and right tackle Max Iheanachor, exited the season-opening 38-19 win over NAU with injuries, coach Kenny Dillingham updated their Week 2 statuses on Monday.

Coleman is expected to be good to go, while Iheanachor joins defensive lineman Justin Wodtly and wide receiver Jalen Moss as a trio of players whose availability is up in the air.

Dillingham said expected availability statuses are typically presented to him at the end of Monday after further testing can take place.

“Felt bad for (Coleman). He’s played six years of college football, and the first time he gets to make MIKE points and play center is versus something we’ve really never showed him. We really threw him to the wolves there,” Dillingham said.

Wade Helton came into the game at center after pushing Coleman for first-team reps late in fall camp. That was largely due to snapping issues from Coleman, which popped up again for a Sam Leavitt sack during a crucial red zone trip.

Redshirt freshman Champ Westbrooks and JUCO transfer Doughless Teloma split the following right tackle reps.

Iheanachor is viewed by some as an early-round prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, listed at No. 41 on Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s recent top-50 prospects ranking.

“We got a bunch of depth really in all of our rooms, so I’m not too worried about it,” Leavitt said postgame of the line’s shuffling. “When a new guy comes in, you know, get acclimated to the game.

“Know it’s their first reps, so really dialing them in to whether it’s protections or what the play call is, my voice, things along those lines. Wade came in and did a really good job.”

Arizona State football’s Week 2 matchup

ASU will try for its first-ever SEC road victory on Saturday at Mississippi State after beating the Bulldogs 30-23 in Tempe last season. Cam Skattebo rushed for a career-high 262 yards, and it was 27-3 at halftime.

Mississippi State was picked to finish last in the SEC (sound familiar?) and handled business in its opener at Southern Mississippi, 34-17.

Blake Shapen, a one-time ASU commit for both football and baseball, is back at quarterback for the Bulldogs after playing well in limited action (four games) last season. He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns against the Sun Devils.

Catch the game at 4:30 p.m. MST on the Arizona Sports app, ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2. It will be televised on ESPN2.

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