Saluki football will be without its leading rusher for Saturday’s Homecoming game.

SIU football coach Dale Lennon announced at his Monday press conference senior running back Malcolm Agnew will miss the game against Indiana State with a foot injury.

“I’m sure it’s a low ankle sprain,” Agnew said. “I know we’re going to get an MRI tomorrow, and we’ll find out more then, but as of now it’s just some type of sprain.”

Agnew was in a walking boot at practice on Tuesday. He said it is painful to walk without the boot.

Lennon said he does not expect Agnew to miss the rest of the season.

Lennon said Agnew will miss two weeks, but may only miss one game; the Salukis have a bye week after the game against the Sycamores.

Agnew suffered a left ankle injury in the first half of the Oct. 18 game against Youngstown State. He was carted off the field and returned later in full pads, but did not re-enter the game.

“From what i remember on the play i was running a zone play to the left,” Agnew said. “I was getting hit on my right side, and then a safety or something came from my left and dived at my ankles and clipped it there.”

The loss of Agnew is a big blow for the Salukis. He is 15^th in the Football Championship Subdivision with 820 rushing yards and 11^th with 10 touchdowns.

Lennon said the team will use a committee system at running back until Agnew returns.

Senior running back Mika’il McCall and redshirt freshman Cameron Walter will likely take the majority of the carries for SIU until Agnew returns. The two players have combined for 69 carries, 338 yards and 3 scores.

Senior Ken Malcome, who also missed much of the season with an injury, could see some touches for SIU. Malcome had 1 carry for 1 yard in the game against Youngstown State.

Malcome rushed for 277 yards and 5 scores in 2013.

Lennon said senior wide receiver Tay Willis will also be involved in the running game. Willis rushed for 321 yards in 2013.

“Losing  Agnew is not a good thing,” Lennon said. “We have tailbacks that can step up and play, and it’s their turn to play.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Tony McDaniel can be reached at [email protected], @tonymcdanielDE or at 536-3311 ext. 256