Texas A&M senior CB reveals his 2024 injury diagnosis

Texas A&M’s senior cornerbacks Will Lee III and starting nickel Tyreek Chappell, who missed all but a couple of snaps against Notre Dame during the 2024 season, spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon to preview the Aggies’ upcoming home matchup vs. Mississippi State, which will also serve as A&M’s first blackout game of the year.

While Lee announced that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, Chappell, whose vast importance to coach Mike Elko and defensive coordinator Jay Bateman’s scheme, detailed the injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 slate.

Like star running back Le’Veon Moss, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL injuries against South Carolina last season, Chappell reportedly dealt with the same injuries, which, like running back, will put an end to any cornerback’s season, especially when playing at the nickel spot.

Due to his injury, Elko and Bateman were forced to play more zone coverage instead of their preferred man coverage scheme, leading to current star cornerback Dezz Ricks playing over 650 snaps. Ironically, this has now led to his elite play over the first four games of the season.

Still, Chappell’s importance to the Aggies’ pass defense, especially in conference play, contributed to Texas A&M’s 16-10 win over the Auburn Tigers, where Chappell allowed just one catch for ten yards, and has looked improved every game since the opener. Oddly enough, just before his injury, which was reportedly suffered in practice the previous year, Chappell believed it to be a bruised knee before the diagnosis was confirmed.

After the Aggies’ defensive line erupted for seven sacks against the Tigers, Texas A&M’s defense is slowly living up to its preseason potential. Once the offense returns to its high-scoring ways, it’s safe to say that expectations will be raised.

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M senior CB Tyreek Chappell tore his ACL/MCL last season