Overview

• On3 reported the team captain sustained an ankle injury in practice and is slated for 'tightrope' surgery with an absence spanning multiple games, though he is expected to return this season.
• Kalen DeBoer described the issue as a lower‑body injury and said Keenan will probably not be a full go for the Aug. 30 game at Florida State.
• DeBoer pointed to Jeremiah Beaman as the next man up next to James Smith, with Edric Hill and other young linemen preparing for increased snaps.
• Keenan is a starting defensive tackle entering his third year in the role after posting 40 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2024.
• The setback comes days before the opener against FSU and follows other roster challenges, including running back Jam Miller’s recent procedure.