Both teams playing in Saluki Stadium on Saturday will play with injury woes. 

The defensive line has been injury plagued for the Salukis as senior nose tackle T.J. Beelen and freshman defensive end Nate Sylvester are both battling knee injuries; Beelen is out for the season.

Coach Dale Lennon said junior tight end Shaq Findlater has moved permanently to defensive end where he recorded playing time against Youngstown State to fill the holes left in the line.

“Defensive end may be [Findlater’s] best position,” he said at his weekly press conference Monday. “You learn some things being a tight end that help him.”

Lennon also said junior cornerback Tareq Abulebbeh has a hip pointer, which may withhold him from playing the rest of the season. Lennon said Abulebbeh’s timetable to return has not been determined yet.

Senior quarterback Matt McIntosh missed the game against Youngstown State because of turf toe and stretched ligaments in his foot.

North Dakota State is dealing with injuries too.

Senior quarterback Carson Wentz has a broken wrist and will not play against the Salukis. According to CBS Sports, Wentz is the 10th ranked NFL quarterback prospect in the nation and is projected as a third or fourth round draft pick.

Redshirt freshman Easton Stick, who got his first career start last Saturday in a win against Indiana State, will replace Wentz.

“He’s a player too,” Lennon said. “He can make all the throws. He’s going to be a threat with his feet.”

Sean Carley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @SCarleyDE.