FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Colorado State senior kicker Jason Smith broke his right arm in practice on Saturday and is out indefinitely.
Smith was injured when he was hit while trying to pick up the ball after an errant snap on a place kick, coach Steve Fairchild said Monday.
“Our non-contact (drill) has a little contact and we thudded a little too hard,” Fairchild said.
No timetable has been set for his return. Smith also handled punts and kickoffs for the Rams, who open the season Sunday night against rival Colorado at Invesco Field.
“It’s not a career- or season-ending injury,” Fairchild said. “I’m confident Jason will get back, hopefully for conference play.”
Fairchild said he didn’t think the injury was serious at first.
“When it happened, I was standing right there, I watched it, and didn’t mention it because I just thought he bruised his arm. He walked off,” Fairchild said. “I didn’t think it was serious at the time, but unfortunately for him, and us, it is.”
Smith made 16 out of 20 field goal attempts last season and made all 33 of his extra point attempts.
Freshman Ben DeLine will kick off and do the place-kicking while Smith is out and junior Anthony Hartz will punt, Fairchild said.
DeLine is the son of Steve DeLine, who kicked for the Rams from 1984 to 1986.
“If he’s half as tough and half as good as his dad, he will be a great kicker for us,” Fairchild said.
