Western Michigan quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen day-to-day, game-time decision with head injury

KALAMAZOO – After sustaining a head injury, Western Michigan quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen left in the second quarter of the Broncos’ 26-13 loss Friday at Michigan State.

Aug 30, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen (2) drops back to pass the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

First-year coach P.J. Fleck said Van Tubbergen is day-to-day and a game-time decision to start against visiting Nicholls State on Saturday at Waldo Stadium.

“He got banged up, so we’ll see,” Fleck said. “He’s day-to-day. I wouldn’t count him out. I wouldn’t say he’s ready. He won’t be (practicing) today. He’s feeling better.

“I don’t think it’s bad enough to sit here and say he’s out. (The decision to start him) could be right before the game.”

Van Tubbergen, while wearing his helmet, watched from the sidelines as his teammates went through positional group drills in practice Sunday.

The official word on Van Tubbergen’s injury is still unknown. Fleck would not call it a concussion but said the quarterback’s health is improving.

“I don’t know if they labeled it as a concussion yet,” Fleck said. “That’s probably what it is. Doctors have evaluated him. His symptoms are going away or are gone already. If it was (a concussion), it wasn’t too bad.”

The senior quarterback finished with six completions on 20 attempts for 73 yards and two interceptions.

Should Van Tubbergen not play Saturday, redshirt freshman Zach Terrell will get the start.

Terrell completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 130 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in relief of Van Tubbergen – including throwing a touchdown pass on his very first snap behind center as a college player.

A health update of Van Tubbergen’s head injury will be provided as the week progresses toward Saturday’s game.