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Denver • A loss to New Mexico State on Thursday has just become a more lasting wound — two of Utah State's top players were injured in the game.

The team announced Saturday shortly before the game against Denver that Preston Medlin (wrist) and Kyisean Reed (knee) would sit out. The two got banged up in a physical game against NMSU.

Medlin's and Reed's ailments leave Utah State without two of its top three leading scorers, but more importantly without its two captains and emotional leaders. The absence against the Pioneers will be the first games the two have missed this season, and both have played at least 26 minutes in every game so far.

There is no timeline yet for their return, and the two won't be fully medically evaluated until Monday when they return to Logan.

The Aggies have been ravaged by injuries and departures this year. Sean Harris is out for the year with a knee injury, and Danny Berger could miss the rest of the season after going into cardiac arrest in December. Quincy Bair and Riley Bradshaw, a pair of freshmen, left the team in midseason for personal reasons.

With Medlin and Reed out, Utah State is now reduced to eight active players who have played minutes this season. The Aggies, who are 5-1 in the WAC as of Saturday morning, could face serious issues to close out the season if either misses significant time.

- Kyle Goon

Twitter: @kylegoon —