FSU football: DT Dennis Briggs missing rest of 2021 season a big blow

FSU football has dealt with several injuries at key positions through the first five games of 2021. Injuries at quarterback and the offensive line have hampered things offensively, and now we’ve seen the injury bug hop over to the defense.

Sophomore DT Dennis Briggs suffered an injury in the Louisville game on a chop-block, which resulted in a penalty, but ultimately that play will cost Briggs the rest of the 2021 season.

Mike Norvell announced the news in his press conference Monday afternoon. Briggs has become a valuable part of arguably the best unit on the team.

He doesn’t always light up the stats column, but what he brings to the table offers great value. Briggs does a good job of helping defend against the run with a decent pass rush from the defensive tackle position.

His absence when he went out of the Louisville game and missing the Syracuse game Saturday was noticeable. Briggs accrued seven tackles, half of a sack, two QB hurries, and one pass defended through four games.

Other depth players like Jarrett Jackson, Malcolm Ray, and Joshua Farmer have seen duty in his absence. I think these guys have likely fared better than I thought they would if you told me they had to play meaningful snaps in 2021.

Both Ray and Briggs missed the Syracuse game, which allowed Joshua Farmer his most extensive action. FSU has quality players at the position in Robert Cooper and Fabien Lovett. The depth chart released for the UNC game looks like Malcolm Ray could be available, which is good for depth purposes.

Ray has been a player that many thought has value as a three-star defender from South Florida in the 2019 recruiting class. Jackson is a transfer from Louisville who sat out most of the 2020 season. Farmer is a freshman that early enrolled in the spring, who many think will have a bright future in Tallahassee.

The defensive line unit will be important in the matchup against Sam Howell and North Carolina. They’ll need to stop the run and look to contain Howell, who’s been a larger part of their running game in 2021. Best wishes to Dennis Briggs Jr., and hopefully, he’ll have a good recovery.