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Rutgers football RB Kyle Monangai to miss Minnesota game, DE Wesley Bailey out for season

PISCATAWAY −Injuries have hit Rutgers football hard all season, and two more came on Saturday.

Defensive end Wesley Bailey will miss the remainder of the Scarlet Knights’ season, while running back Kyle Monangai will miss today’s game against Minnesota at SHI Stadium due to an undisclosed injury.

Both are tough blows for a team that’s looking to snap a four-game losing streak.

Bailey has been banged up most of the season – he’s only played in four games, recording eight tackles (one for loss) in that time.

He hasn’t played since the Wisconsin game on Oct. 12.

ESPN's Pete Thamel first reported the injuries.

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jay Harper (26) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) is tackled by Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jay Harper (26) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Bailey's injury is the latest for a defense that's been badly banged up for the season.

Rutgers lost star linebacker Mohamed Toure to a torn ACL before the season, and then Bailey, defensive end Aaron Lewis, linebacker Tyreem Powell, cornerback Robert Longerbeam and safety Flip Dixon have all dealt with injuries this season.

Monangai, meanwhile, has also been banged up and has been listed as “questionable” on recent availability reports, though he’s managed to play through any ailments.

But he left Rutgers' game against USC in the third quarter on Oct. 25 and didn't return.

His status beyond the Minnesota game is unclear.

Monangai this season has rushed for 931 yards on 172 carries with 10 touchdowns.

Without Monangai, Rutgers will look to true freshman Antwan Raymond and second-year running back Ja'shon Benjamin to fill the void.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football: Kyle Monangai out vs Minnesota