Backing The Pack, a N.C. State Wolfpack community

COACH O’BRIEN: Well, [Dean Haynes is] coming off the head injury from the week before. You know, even though he was cleared, he didn’t practice until I think Wednesday, and Thursday there was no contact. I’ve always been pretty leery, especially if it was a serious blow to the head. It’s not just a headache walking off and you’re a little dizzy.

I had a similar situation with Russell his first year playing. The same thing happened on a Thursday night game at South Carolina. He was cleared to play the next week medically by the staff, but we held him back just in case. Because once you get a head injury, if you get another one, you’re talking months out. So I just wanted to be a little safer in that situation.

Right now he’s back in the mix, and we’re still, because of some situations, looking at — well, not sure who is going to end up starting, but all three of them will be available to play Saturday afternoon.