I think the issue is more undersized players, overachieving, or over stressing their bodies to get the job done, out of necessity (Fuente's reputation).

Utilizing many tFr and rFr seems to beg for injuries, because they are hardly ready to perform at a high level in college football, with very few exceptions. Then again... the injuries plaguing VT are not necessarily the youngest starters.

Nijman is definitely not one of the smallest or youngest players, and neither is #22. It seems like shoulder injuries have been an issue in the past 5 seasons or so, and don't recall that being such an issue before that. Yes, both S&C coaches have been in action when shoulder injuries have increased. Is it more techniques being taught by coaches, how to engage in a block, or release from a block? How to tackle, maybe?

Broken bones (fingers), sprains, and ligament tears are normal injuries...

To me it seems like the issue is asking determined players to do more, to make up for a lack of natural talent, and youth, so they can get the job done against very talented players. Or asking the few talented players to play through more serious injuries, to help the team, because there's a lack of depth.

I'm not here to point who is at fault for the continuation of injuries. But it seems like younger athletes are being asked to do more, as recruiting may have dropped off at the end of the Beamer era, and as Fuente is rebuilding and restocking the talent on his team. It's more than that... maybe it's the rSos and rJrs who have stressed their bodies for several years, when something gives out, or they are forced to play through injuries leading to more significant injuries.

It's also not the players who are asked to do more by the coaches, they are determined to do more so they can get more playing time, earlier. It's all part of the football culture.

Ideally it would be best if the starters were Jrs and Srs, with back ups being Sos and Jrs., and players hitting the field when they are ready to play at a high level. That's what takes 4 years, for a new HC to get his team playing at a high level. Even then injuries will happen, but having better depth, and more experience will keep players on the field where the game has already slowed down for them. There's really no great way for players to learn the ropes, without risking injuries.

VT is just lacking depth at the moment, making injuries a bigger issue than when there is adequate depth. At this point it turns into a different issue. Fuente's trust in players. He seems to have a very high standard, but he is also limited with players he inherited... Beamer's players are his players for 1-4 years.