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Temple QB Walker in walking boot; says he'll play Saturday

The most indispensable Temple football player greeted the media on Tuesday with a walking boot on his right foot. Senior quarterback Philip Walker said Saturday that he had hurt his ankle in the Owls' 37-10 win over East Carolina.

The most indispensable Temple football player greeted the media on Tuesday with a walking boot on his right foot.

Senior quarterback Philip Walker said Saturday that he had hurt his ankle in the Owls' 37-10 win over East Carolina.

It turns out it was his foot that was injured. Coach Matt Rhule did not give the most optimistic prognosis for Walker's availability Saturday for the American Athletic Conference championship game at Navy.

"If we had to play today, P.J. wouldn't play," Rhule said.

However, it would be a major surprise if Walker doesn't start, especially to the quarterback. "I am almost there and I will be ready to go Saturday," Walker said. "I did a little practicing today. I will be fine."

Walker's definition of practice was different from Rhule's. The Temple coach said that Walker threw a little bit on the side.

Among the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Walker's most impressive traits is his toughness. He suffered a shoulder injury in last year's season-opening 27-10 win over Penn State and never missed time.

Walker has made 45 consecutive starts for Temple and owns the most wins in school history by a starting quarterback, 27.

Rhule said he has confidence in his backups, redshirt freshman Logan Marchi and redshirt sophomore Frank Nutile. The two have combined to throw eight passes this year.

Armstead's status

Rhule also said that if the game was played Tuesday, running back Ryquell Armstead wouldn't have played.

It's possible that Armstead will be sidelined Saturday. He missed the Owls' 31-0 win at Tulane on Nov. 19 with an assortment of injuries. Armstead returned last week and had 10 carries for 35 yards and two short touchdowns against East Carolina.

Rhule said the sophomore got nicked up in the game. Armstead has rushed for 842 yards (6.1 average) and 13 touchdowns. If he doesn't play, Jahad Thomas (856 yards rushing, 12 TDs) would likely get even more work than usual.