Junior running back Chris Nwoke will not play in the Colorado St. Rams' home opener against the North Dakota St. Bison on Saturday, according to the Coloradoan.
Nwoke rushed for 47 yards on 11 carries in the Rams' 22-17 win over the Colorado Buffaloes last Saturday, but sat out the fourth quarter after injuring his left ankle. He was held out of practice for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, wearing a protective boot on his injured ankle, and head coach Jim McElwain was forced to make a decision on the running back's status for Saturday.
"Nwoke, it doesn't look like he'll [play], but the thing of it is, Donnell Alexander has really stepped up and taken a leadership role," said McElwain.
The explosive freshman Alexander rushed for 66 yards on eight carries in Nwoke's absence, and returned three kicks for 76 yards.
Nwoke was the Rams' leading rusher in 2011, with 1,130 yards and an average of 5.7 yards per carry, the highest mark by a Rams rusher since 1997.
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