Ankle injury ends UNLV running back Charles Williams’ season

UNLV sophomore running back Charles Williams will undergo ankle surgery, ending his season shortly after it began.

The school will apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, a process that was granted after the Rebels lost wide receivers Kendal Keys (knee) and Brandon Presley (foot) to injuries last season.

Losing Williams is certainly a blow for UNLV, but running back is one of the team’s deeper positions. The Rebels have to hope that position doesn’t become like the receivers last season, a unit decimated by injuries.

“Charles will have surgery on his right ankle and we look forward to having him back next year,” coach Tony Sanchez said. “Lexington Thomas came into the opening week as the co-starter at that spot and has done an outstanding job. It will also mean more time for Xzaviar Campbell and Evan Owens this season.”

Williams led the team with 763 yards last season. He was injured in the season-opening 43-40 loss to Howard.

Junior Lexington Thomas took over the starting job last week and rushed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s 44-16 victory at Idaho. Campbell, also a junior, also played well against the Vandals, rushing for 81 yards on 17 carries and hurdling a defender on one play for extra yardage.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Armani Rogers has the ability to run, too. He has 168 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

Owens, a junior, has not received any carries. Neither has freshman Tariq Hollandsworth, though he has played.

UNLV is off this week. The Rebels (1-1) play at No. 8 Ohio State on Sept. 23, and it was announced Monday the game will be at 9 a.m. PST on the Big Ten Network.

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Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.