FSU Football: Which receiver steps up for Auden Tate after injury?

FSU football hopes to be without Auden Tate for as little time as possible after his shoulder injury suffered in last week’s loss to N.C. State.

Entering the 2017 season, FSU football was wondering who would step up and be the No 2 receiver this season behind the supposed leader at the position, Nyqwan Murray. Over the course of the first two games, it appeared that Murray was not the number one target anymore, as that position seemed to have been handed over to junior Auden Tate.

So far this season, the Seminoles have scored just two touchdowns and both of them have been a result of catches from the Tampa native. Tate has come up with 11 catches for 179 yards, with nine of those and 138 of them coming in last week’s loss to N.C. State – including a 51 yard catch that was his final one of the game before he left with an injury.

After Tate left, the Noles offense seemed to have come to an end with a screeching halt and FSU football couldn’t move down the field in the loss. Now, the tall target is dealing with a A.C. joint separation that doesn’t require surgery, but could require some time for recovery.

Per the Tallahassee Democrat, head coach Jimbo Fisher said Wednesday that Tate has been out on the practice field and seems to be making progress:

"“He’s been out and participating and loosened up and feels much better, and we’ll take him day by day as we go through the week just how much he’ll do,” Fisher said."

While Fisher said on Thursday that he expects Tate to play this weekend against Wake Forest, someone or some people are going to have to step up and help the offense wake up if he is not 100 percent. So far this season, the other three top receivers after Tate – Murray, George Campbell and Keith Gavin – have combined for 22 catches and a total of 231 yards.

If no receiver can step up, it will be up to the men in the backfield. As far as the running game goes, the Seminoles are in pure panic mode as Jacques Patrick, Cam Akers, James Blackman and Keith Gavin have combined for 53 carries and 144 yards – that’s right, FSU football is averaging less than three yards a carry this season.

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This season, the Demon Deacons are ranked 54th nationally in total defense and have been giving up an average of 329 yards per game. Conventional wisdom would say for Tate to sit out against Wake Forest and be closer to healthy for the Miami game that follows – but if that’s the case, someone is going to have to step and quickly if the Noles are going to win their first game.