West Virginia’s quarterback situation remains uncertain as head coach Neal Brown evaluates Garrett Greene’s potential return to the lineup following an upper-body injury that sidelined him for nearly a month. Greene was hurt during the Kansas State game and has missed subsequent matchups, but his recovery appears to be progressing. While Greene was dressed and warmed up for last weekend’s game against Cincinnati, he was held back as Brown prioritized caution.
In Greene’s absence, backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol has managed to keep West Virginia on track, leading them to wins over Arizona and Cincinnati. This performance has provided the team with a level of stability, but with Greene’s return in sight, Brown faces a decision about who will lead the team against Baylor this weekend.
According to Brown, Greene participated in limited 7-on-7 drills last Wednesday and returned for more extensive 11-on-11 practice this week, marking a critical step in assessing his readiness. “Tomorrow is going to be the first 11-on-11 work,” Brown said, adding, “I need to see him in 11-on-11 work before we make a decision on whether he’s ready to go.”
Though Greene’s veteran status provides some flexibility in practice requirements, Brown emphasized that his readiness will be determined by his performance in team drills and his physical condition.
Given Marchiol’s recent success, Brown may opt to start the redshirt sophomore, with Greene possibly contributing in specific situations if deemed healthy. Brown noted that the decision might not be finalized until later in the week and could remain undisclosed until kickoff to keep Baylor’s defense guessing. He acknowledged that even small differences, like Greene and Marchiol being right- and left-handed, could affect game planning, adding, “Part of the reason is so that they don’t know. I’m not trying to hide that.”
As the week progresses, West Virginia fans await word on Greene’s status and whether he’ll rejoin the lineup, potentially adding depth and versatility as the Mountaineers push toward season goals.
