Arizona State will be without starting right guard Wade Helton for a few weeks after he suffered a lower leg injury at Texas A&M on Saturday, head coach Kenny Dillingham told reporters in London on Tuesday, Arizona Sports reported.
Helton, a junior, started Arizona State’s first two games but shared much of the right guard workload with sophomore Rob Lapuaho. Lapuaho has also competed for starting opportunities throughout fall practices and is expected to take the starting reps while Helton is unavailable.
Dillingham pointed to Lapuaho’s previous experience, including his performance in the Duke game. “He’s got to step up. He’s got to play in a mature fashion, which he did in the Duke game,” Dillingham said.
Helton left Saturday’s game in the second quarter and did not return. Through two games, Lapuaho has played 82 snaps at right guard, compared with 49 for Helton. Professional Football Focus has graded Lapuaho slightly higher, though it credited him with allowing a pressure and a hurry. Helton has allowed neither on 18 fewer opportunities.
Helton also took four snaps at center during the first quarter Saturday when Tana Alo-Tupuola briefly left with an injury concern. Alo-Tupuola returned after missing the end of one drive. Makua Pule is likely to assume a reserve interior-line role that includes guard and center, having worked at center with the second unit during camp.
