Rueben Fatheree’s Injury Hurts… But the Big Uglies Will Be Fine
Texas A&M fans, take a deep breath. I know the news isn’t fun: Rueben Fatheree, the 6’8” mountain of a human who looks like he was built in a Marvel lab, is dealing with a lower leg injury and is expected to miss about four weeks.
Yes, that’s frustrating. Yes, it stings to lose a veteran leader on the offensive line right before the grind of the SEC schedule heats up. But let’s not throw ourselves into full-on panic mode just yet. The Big Uglies — this year’s version of A&M’s offensive line — are still more than capable of holding the line.
Why Rueben Matters
When healthy, Fatheree is a game-changer. He’s the kind of tackle who can erase pass rushers off the edge and give Marcel Reed enough time to find KC Concepcion streaking downfield or dump off a screen to Le’Veon Moss. He’s long, he’s powerful, and he’s got that rare ability to make 280-pound defensive ends look like they’re on roller skates.
So yes, his absence will be felt.
But here’s the good news: this isn’t a season-ending injury. He’s expected back in about a month, and by the time A&M is knee-deep in the SEC West gauntlet, Fatheree should be ready to anchor the line again. The real question is whether the rest of the Big Uglies can step up in the meantime.
Depth in the Trenches
This is where Aggie fans need to remind themselves: Mike Elko and his staff have been stockpiling linemen like doomsday preppers stockpile canned beans.
Players like Mark Nabou, Kam Dewberry, and Trey Zuhn III are already proven commodities. These aren’t placeholders — they’re dudes who can handle themselves against top-tier defensive fronts. Throw in Chase Bisontis, who played like a grown man last season as a freshman, and you start to realize A&M isn’t exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel here.
The offensive line is one of the deepest groups on the team, and for once, that depth is going to be tested.
The Mentality Shift
Here’s the thing: offensive linemen are weird. In the best way possible. They live for moments like this. They don’t get stats, they don’t get highlights, and they definitely don’t get credit unless they screw up. But when someone goes down, the rest of the room gets fired up because it’s a chance to prove the group is bigger than one guy.
And that’s exactly what the Aggies need right now — a “next man up” mentality. Don’t panic, don’t overthink it. Just line up, block somebody, and make sure Marcel Reed doesn’t spend his Saturdays peeling himself off the turf.
Why the Offense Will Survive
Even without Fatheree, the Aggies still have the ingredients to run the show. The run game is going to lean heavy on Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, and that’ll take pressure off the line. The quick passing game with Concepcion and Craver should keep defenses honest. And Reed’s mobility gives the offense a little extra insurance if protection breaks down.
Is it going to be perfect? No. Will there be a few “hold your breath” moments when a backup tackle has to go one-on-one against an elite edge rusher? Absolutely. But A&M has enough talent and enough depth to weather this storm.
Final Word
Rueben Fatheree’s injury is a setback, but it’s not a death sentence. This offensive line — the Blockbusters, the Big Uglies, whatever nickname you prefer — is still built to be one of the strengths of this team.
The best-case scenario? The backups get valuable reps, the line gels even more, and by the time Fatheree returns, the Aggies are rolling into the heart of SEC play with a deeper, meaner, nastier unit than they had before.
So Aggie fans, relax. Rueben will be back. The Big Uglies are still here. And the offense? Still in good hands.
Prediction: The offensive line holds steady, the Aggies pound the rock, and by midseason, everyone forgets they even had a moment of panic in August.
