Arizona State junior offensive lineman Wade Helton will miss several weeks after an injury in the Sun Devils’ 48-20 defeat at Texas A&M on Sept. 12. His absence comes before Arizona State’s Union Jack Classic matchup with Kansas in London.
Helton started the team’s first two games at right guard. He was assisted from the field after being unable to put weight on his right leg, and later left Kyle Field using crutches with his foot in a boot.
Coach Kenny Dillingham said Sept. 15 that Helton is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. Sophomore Rob Lapuaho replaced him during the Texas A&M game and is set to take over in the lineup.
“He's got to step up,” Dillingham said of Lapuaho. “He's got to play in a mature fashion, which he did in the Duke game (last season). He's just got to be ready for his number to be called, and it's being called.”
Helton also served as the backup center behind Tana Alo-Tupuola. He transferred from Iowa State and played in 10 games for Arizona State in 2025, starting seven. He entered the offensive-line rotation after Ben Coleman sustained a season-ending injury.
