Graham Barton, Jacob Monk reportedly game-time decisions for Duke vs. Wake Forest
The Duke Blue Devils football team continues to receive bad news ahead of their Thursday night matchup with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Earlier on Thursday, the Blue Devils learned that their dynamic dual-threat at quarterback, Riley Leonard, will miss an ‘extended period of time’ with a toe injury. Then, later on Thursday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel relayed the information that Duke’s star left tackle Graham Barton (lower body) and right guard Jacob Monk (lower body) are both considered game-time decisions on Thursday night.
In 2022, Barton earned honorable mention All-American honors from Phil Steele and also brought home first team All-ACC honors. In 2023, he was named a preseason second team All-American selection by multiple media outlets. Barton also earned preseason first team All-ACC honors this year from multiple media outlets.
Jacob Monk earned honorable mention All-ACC honors in 2022. He was named to Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” for his dominance in the weight room, prior to the start of the 2023 campaign. One of Duke’s most experienced offensive linemen, Monk was the team’s only returning starter on the Blue Devils’ offensive line with over 3,000 snaps under his belt leading up to the 2023 campaign.
We’ll have to see once we get closer to kickoff what happens. But it’s certainly not the news that Blue Devil football fans wanted to hear. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM EST. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
More information on Duke QB Riley Leonard missing time
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard will reportedly miss significant time due to an injury he sustained against Louisville. On Thursday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel provided additional details.
“Riley Leonard will miss an ‘extended period of time’ with a left toe injury suffered late in the game against Louisville,” Thamel wrote on Twitter. “Freshman Grayson Loftis will get his first career start tonight against Wake Forest.
“A definitive timetable on Leonard’s potential return from this injury has yet to be determined, per sources. It’s a *different* injury than the right ankle injury he suffered against Notre Dame that kept him out of the NC State game.”
Leonard struggled in Duke’s 23-0 loss to Louisville this past weekend. In the defeat, Leonard only completed 9-of-his-23 pass attempts for 121 yards while throwing an interception. He also recorded 10 carries for a mere 13 yards, averaging 1.3 yards per rush.
Leonard missed time earlier this season after sustaining an ankle injury in the closing moments of Duke’s Week 6 loss to Notre Dame. He seemingly reaggravated this injury in the second half of Duke’s 38-20 loss to Florida State in Week 8.
Now, Leonard will be sidelined again due to his health. While Duke will be without its QB1, the show must go on. As Thamel mentioned above, Loftis will start behind center for Duke.
On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.