Two of Virginia Tech’s injured players, starting inside linebacker Barquell Rivers and backup center Michael Via, are not yet medically cleared for preseason practices and are questionable for the Sept. 6 season opener against Boise State, according to team trainer Mike Goforth.

“Both are progressing well,” Goforth said. “It’s gonna be really a last-minute decision for both of them. It’s gonna be down to the end trying to get them ready for that first ball game. The first ball game is not out of the question.”

Rivers, a junior, tore his quadriceps tendon during offseason workouts. He started all 13 games last season at mike linebacker. He had 96 tackles, second on the team, and was the Hokies leading returning tackler. When he missed spring practices, his spot was filled by sophomore Bruce Taylor, who likely will be the No. 1 mike linebacker heading into August.

During the offseason, Taylor dropped from 250 to 240 pounds so he could move quicker. In spring practices, he impressed Bud Foster, the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. Foster said after the spring game that Taylor was one of Tech’s most improved defensive players. “I’m really expecting him to take big strides,” Foster said.

Michael Via, a sophomore who would have backed up senior Beau Warren or played as a reserve tackle, stretched the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the spring, which required a complete ACL reconstruction. Offensive line coach Curt Newsome wanted to get the 6-7, 287-pound Via, who is built like a tackle, some reps at that position, because Newsome rotates tackles, but not centers.

Moreover, when Via went down in the spring, redshirt freshman Andrew Miller would have stepped in, but he was still recovering from shoulder surgery. Goforth said all Hokies besides Rivers and Via are medically cleared for preseason practices, which begin Aug. 6, so Miller figures to be the No. 2 center.

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