EAST LANSING — Injuries in the secondary have become Michigan State football’s primary problem.
Starting cornerback Charles Brantley will miss the remainder of the season with a lower left leg injury, and six other defensive backs are out as the Spartans host Purdue on Friday night (8 p.m.,Fox).
None of the other injuries are listed as season-ending on the Big Ten’s official availability report. However, starting safety Malik Spencer and backup nickelback Armorion Smith will miss their second straight game and are joined on the injury list along with backup cornerbacks Caleb Coley and Jeremiah Hughes for the first time. Another early season starting cornerback, Chance Rucker, and vital multiposition defensive back Dillon Tatum also remain out.
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Two others key MSU players, wide receiver Alante Brown and linebacker Wayne Matthews III, also are listed as out. No Spartans are listed as questionable.
Defensive tackle Jalen Satchell is expected to play for MSU (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten) after missing Saturday’s 38-16 loss at Illinois.
Brantley is the seventh Spartan to be ruled out for the season, joining defensive back Khalil Majeed; offensive linemen Kristian Phillips and Gavin Broscious; tight end Michael Masunas; defensive end Avery Dunn; and long snapper Kaden Schickel.
MSU closes the regular season next Saturday when it hosts Rutgers. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. (FS1).
Purdue (1-9, 0-7) has lost nine straight since its season-opening win over Indiana State of the Football Championship Subdivision.
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: CB Charles Brantley ruled out for season
