Sigh of relief: Aztecs starting OT Joe Borjon exits practice, isn’t seriously injured

San Diego State starting offensive tackle Joe Borjon was injured during a drill at Tuesday morning’s practice.

Borjon needed assistance getting up and was taken from the field on a cart about midway through the 2½-hour workout.

It was met with a collective “not again.” The junior from La Puente suffered a season-ending injury in last year’s season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce when he tore multiple ligaments in his left knee.

Now what? By Tuesday afternoon, Aztecs players and coaches — and fans — could breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Borjon suffered an ankle injury that won’t be serious in the long term, according to a source. Borjon was taken off mostly for precautionary reasons, the source said. How long he is sidelined is not yet known, but Borjon is expected back in time for the Aug. 28 season opener against Stony Brook.

The 6-foot-8, 330-pound Borjon is a critical piece on an SDSU offensive line that’s expected to be much improved from last year’s beleaguered unit, which was depleted by injuries and midseason player departures. Borjon is regarded as a pro prospect, with NFL scouts taking note of his size, footwork and fundamentals.

After transferring from Arizona over the summer of 2024, Borjon quickly established himself as the starting left tackle in fall camp, with former starter Christian Jones sliding over to left guard.

The pairing didn’t even make it to halftime of the season’s first game. Borjon was injured when a player rolled up on him in the second quarter against Texas A&M-Commerce.

Borjon worked hard to return to form. He was full-go in fall camp, just 10 months after undergoing surgery that can require a year or more of recovery time.

Borjon is penciled in to start at right tackle this season, at least early on, in an effort to put less stress on his left knee in the first few months of his return.

His absence was the biggest loss last season for SDSU’s challenged O-line. Two linemen also left the team four games into the season to preserve a year of eligibility before entering the transfer portal. There were times in practice last year where SDSU’s two-deep included only eight able bodies.

The Aztecs bolstered the line during the offseason, and came into fall camp optimistic.

SDSU has 16 offensive linemen listed on the roster. That includes Jones back at left tackle and Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli at center. Senior transfers Dallas Fincher and Bayo Kannike opened camp with the first team at the guard spots. Kannike could slide from right guard to right tackle while Borjon is out. Senior Saipale Fuimaono would be among the candidates to step in at right guard.