Aug. 22—GRAND FORKS — The UND football program will provide a status update Monday regarding an injury to All-American edge Lance Rucker, a school spokesman confirmed Saturday.
UND is scheduled to hold its weekly press conference late Monday morning.
Rucker was seen limping off the grass practice field to the south of the Pollard Center late in practice Friday morning. Rucker walked off on his own power into the Pollard.
Chris Hummer, a national writer for 247Sports and CBS Sports, posted on social media Saturday that a source says Rucker suffered a foot injury but is expected to return this season.
Zach McKinnell of FCS Football Central also reported on social media about a Rucker foot injury with an undetermined recovery timeline.
Rucker, a senior from Omaha, was named to the Stats Perform FCS All-America Second Team and broke the school's single-season record for sacks with 11.5. The record was previously held by Wes Atkinson and current UND head coach Eric Schmidt.
The all-MVFC first team selection finished with 15 tackles for loss. He enters 2026 as a preseason All-American after earning first-team honors from Stats Perform and FCS Football Central.
Rucker had been named a two-time UND captain earlier in the week.
The Fighting Hawks, ranked No. 10 in the preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll, open the season at 7 p.m. Thursday against Long Island University at the Alerus Center.
UND's depth at edge could be tested if Rucker misses extended time. UND's starting edge opposite Rucker is preseason All-American Kaden Vig, a senior from Hallock, Minn.
Brody Thornton, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound sophomore from Menomonie, Wis., would be a leading candidate to fill Rucker's spot as a starter. Former starter Braden Mohr, who has missed the last two seasons with season-ending injuries early in the year, could also push for increased playing time.
Another candidate to see his first extended playing time is junior Erick Paye of Grand Forks Central. Paye has impressive size at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds.
UND football had a scheduled day off of practice Saturday.
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