WSU Football Notebook: Starting DT could sit with foot injury

PULLMAN — Washington State has suffered exactly what it didn't need — another injury to a starter.

Sophomore defensive tackle Feveae'I Ahmu will undergo X-rays today to determine the extent of the foot injury he suffered during practice Tuesday.

The X-rays will determine whether Ahmu will travel to Auburn for Saturday's season opener against the fourth-ranked Tigers.

If Ahmu is unable to play, junior Aaron Johnson will start. The backup tackles would be sophomore Matt Eichelberger and newcomer Bryan Tarkington, a junior-college transfer who began practicing last week after his transcript was approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Ahmu started all 11 games last season as a true freshman because of an injury to junior Ropati Pitoitua.

Starting defensive end Matt Mullennix injured his knee last week and could be out the entire season. Starting right guard Andy Roof (thumb surgery) will miss at least the opener.

The only Auburn player known to be out for the game is backup linebacker Steve Gandy, who has a leg injury.