Oregon State junior center Isaac Seumalo, one of the best players at his position nationally, could miss the Beavers' first two games as he continues to recover from a broken foot.
Seumalo (6-foot-4, 297 pounds) was injured in Oregon State's victory over Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl, and missed spring practice.
Oregon State coach Mike Riley said Seumalo -- whose dad, Joe, is Oregon State's defensive line coach -- might be ready for the Aug. 30 opener against FCS member Portland State. But he also could miss the opener and perhaps the second game, against woeful Hawaii on Sept. 6. Oregon State is off Sept. 13, so Seumalo's first game conceivably could be Sept. 20 against San Diego State. One positive: Oregon State doesn't need Seumalo to beat each of its first two opponents, as the Beavers have one of the easiest opening stretches in the nation.
"We're going to be very, very careful with that," Riley said of Seumalo's injury at Pac-12 Media Days. "So that's why I'm being very careful when I say he's going to play. But I anticipate him being ready. I would think he might be ready for the first game, but maybe not."
And where Seumalo plays will be something to watch, too: Riley said Seumalo could end up playing guard. Regardless, Riley is feeling some angst about his line, which has just two returning starters.
"Frankly, I'm worried about our offensive line," Riley said. "Our offensive line with our five starters, we could be really good. ... But we've got three of those starters that have had injury deals over the course of the spring and summer."
Seumalo has started all 25 games since he has been on campus; he was the first true freshman to start at center for the Beavers since 1978. Seumalo started two games at right tackle last season and was considered one of the best guards in the nation during the recruiting process.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
