Just having wide receiver Jeff Cotton on the field helps the rest of the “skill position” players for the Idaho Vandals.

“It helps the running game, too, when he’s out there because they have to worry about him,” Idaho football coach Paul Petrino said. “And a lot of times they have one or two guys worrying about him. His presence on the field helps — (him) making the plays, and it helps other receivers get open and they have different roles.”

Cotton, Idaho’s top receiver, missed last week’s 24-0 loss at Portland State due to injury.

Asked if he’ll be back for the Vandals’ (2-5, 0-3 Big Sky Conference) homecoming game Saturday vs. Idaho State (3-3, 2-1) at the Kibbie Dome, Petrino answered, “I think he will be.”

As for two other offensive players who missed last week’s game with injuries, Petrino said he probably wouldn’t know until today if Aundre Carter, the Vandals’ leading rusher, or center Conner Vrba would be available.

That injury question mark list also includes his son, quarterback Mason Petrino, who was hurt early in last week’s game and was pulled by his coach.

“Probably should have been earlier, honestly,” Paul Petrino said. “He took a beating against Weber State (in the previous game), took a lot of big hits, and then that third play of the game when he took that late hit (against Portland State), I probably should have made the change right then. He just wasn’t himself.”

Mason Petrino was replaced by junior Colton Richardson, the former Lewiston High star, who would presumably start this week if Mason Petrino was unable to go.

In previous weeks Paul Petrino had talked about possibly playing Richardson in no more than four games this season so he could use it as a redshirt years. Richardson has played in three games this season.

Asked Tuesday by area reporters if that was still the plan, Petrino replied, “Right now, we’re worried about this week. The plan this week is to go win this game. We’re not looking past this week right now. And then we have a bye, and then we can worry about all that stuff.”

The Vandals’ ailments have even spread to their junior punter/placekicker, Cade Coffey from Lakeland High.

Coffey is 6 for 10 on field goals this year, with two blocked. He’s 20 for 20 on PATs.

Petrino said Coffey is a “little banged up,” and explained why Logan Prescott, a redshirt freshman, handled some kickoff duties last week.

“And we worked it during the week where we had him kick some field goals.” Petrino said.