Duke availability report filled with reserves

There are 12 players from Duke on the initial availability report for Saturday’s game at Georgia Tech.

None of them has started a game for the Blue Devils this season. But a few of them will be key losses.

The most significant loss is linebacker Elliott Schaper, one of eight players already ruled out. The sophomore has only played 23 defensive snaps this season (PFF) and has essentially been fifth in Duke’s four-man rotation at linebacker. But he’s played 47 special teams snaps. He suffered a season-ending injury last November; the severity of his injury this year is not yet known.

The other seven players ruled out are receivers Jamien Little, Qeanu Johnson and Blake Rohrer, quarterback Lawrence Gardner, and offensive linemen Kai Jacobowitz, Reagan McCranie and Roman Fina. Fellow offensive lineman Sean Stover is listed as questionable.

Three players carrying the probable designation would help the Blue Devils’ depth.

Javen Nicholas is the most significant of those. Here’s a story on his impending return to speed.

Duke also has cornerbacks Landan Callahan and Kimari Robinson listed as probable to play at Georgia Tech. Cornerbacks Kyon Loud (201) and Dylan Flowers (188) are the snap leaders for Duke’s defense.

On the Georgia Tech side of things …

The Yellow Jackets have ruled out 11 players ahead of Saturday’s game.

Four of those are defensive players who have started at least one game this season. Cornerback Daiquan White is the most significant of those, having started every game and played the third-most snaps of GT’s defense. Other notable defensive players ruled out are defensive ends Jordan Walker, Noah Carter and A.J. Hoffler.

Running back Malachi Hosley, who’s been limited this season, and left tackle Ethan Mackenny have also been ruled out.

GT has two key offensive linemen in the questionable category, Jameson Riggs and Markell Samuel. Riggs started the first two games but missed the last two. Samuel has played 164 snaps this season, starting one game and playing 60 snaps in another (against Tennessee).

Two reserve defensive players, defensive end Jordan Boyd and cornerback Trae Stevenson Jr., are listed as questionable.

Linebacker Kyle Efford, who missed GT’s last two games, is probable to play. He played 129 snaps in the first two games; he has led the Yellow Jackets in tackles for each of the past three seasons.

Defensive tackle Vincent Carroll-Jackson, who hasn’t missed a game, is also listed as probable.