JMU quarterback JC Evans is expected to miss time with a hand/wrist injury suffered during the Dukes’ Week 1 win over Liberty, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

One source told JMU Sports News that the injury is expected to sideline Evans for about six weeks.

Evans, who started for the Dukes against the Flames and rotated with Camden Coleman, passed for 61 yards and ran for another 69 in last week’s 20-13 win. He appeared to suffer the injury on a third-down scramble in the third quarter when a Liberty defender’s helmet hit his left wrist/hand. He was not removed from the game, but one source told us that he had swelling in his hand in the hours after the game, and another source said the injury required minor surgery to repair.

While it’s not expected to be a season-ending injury, the Dukes could still face major early season challenges without their QB1. JMU faces Wagner, San Diego State, and Old Dominion to finish September. The Dukes play Marshall (Oct. 3) and Georgia Southern (Oct. 10) to open October.

Coleman, who threw for 57 yards in Saturday’s win and went 13-1 as a starter with Richmond in 2023 and 2024, is expected to start in Evans’ absence. The offense may feature fewer designed quarterback runs, but it should still operate somewhat similarly under the fourth-year player. Coleman is an adept passer with more than 3,000 career passing yards, and he rushed for over 300 yards as Richmond’s starter in 2024.

The Dukes will have Saturday’s upcoming matchup against Wagner to build Coleman’s confidence within Cam Aiken’s offensive scheme. Then, he faces a gauntlet of solid Group of Six teams. 

Arrington Maiden, a Memphis transfer who didn’t appear in last Saturday’s season opener, is the likely backup for the next few weeks. The Dukes also have true freshman Tanner Vibabul available. QB turned WR Davi Belfort did not dress for the Week 1 win, making his status for the coming weeks unclear.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications