DE Dadi Nicolas' Left Hand in a Cast

Defensive end Dadi Nicolas took the podium at Virginia Tech's media day today with his left hand in a cast.

#Hokies DE Dadi Nicolas has his left ring and pinky finger wrapped together inside that cast. pic.twitter.com/7FFjjyb2Zo— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) August 15, 2015

The 2014 second-team All-ACC performer, and 2015 preseason first-team All-ACC selection, did not go into specifics of the injury, but indicated it was "nothing too serious".

Nicolas calls his left hand injury "nothing too serious," but added he doesn't really want to talk about it right now. #Hokies— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 15, 2015

Nicolas said the hand/finger injury is an indication guys have been going hard in practices. #Hokies— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 15, 2015

Nicolas said he hurt the hand/finger three days ago. Added he's taking a lot of mental reps right now. #Hokies— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 15, 2015

Nobody's safe when I'm hurt I get so cut throat!— Dadi L Nicolas (@YYBAQB) August 13, 2015

Nicolas doesn't plan to scrimmage today. Said how hand/finger might affect him during season isn't something he's thinking about now #Hokies— Norm Wood (@normwood) August 15, 2015

Nicolas, and fellow starter Ken Ekanem, is as good a defensive end tandem as there is in America. However, there is significant drop off on the depth chart after the pair. Seth Dooley is the top backup, and he earned the Coaches Award for an exceptional spring practice.

"Now, we haven't scrimmaged yet, but with Seth it seems like the lightbulb is starting to come on a little bit for him, which is exciting," Wiles said in April. "He's played a lot faster, he's been a lot tougher."

However, whether or not his breakthrough this spring will translate to more production on the field this season remains to be seen. Also, he too is working through an injury.

Foster says Seth Dooley won't practice today due to dinged up shoulder. Nothing major. Still likes his summer so far. #Hokies— Alex Koma (@AlexKomaVT) August 15, 2015

6-5, 270 pound redshirt freshman Vinny Mihota moved from defensive tackle outside to end during spring ball to round out Tech's two-deep. At the time, Wiles noted Vinny's "twitch" and "quickness", but it's unclear if he has enough pop to be a productive end in Tech's scheme.

Point blank, defensive end is a position that Virginia Tech cannot afford an injury to one of its starters, especially one of Nicolas' calibur. Both Dooley's and Dadi's injuries are something to keep an eye on leading up to the Hokies matchup with the Buckeyes.