Duke-Syracuse availability report posted
Duke will need some big plays from freshman linebackers in its first ACC road game of the season.
In addition to Nick Morris Jr. being out for the season, the Blue Devils will be without Kendall Johnson on Saturday at Syracuse. That’s what coach Manny Diaz said on Wednesday morning and is confirmed with the initial availability report, which was published Thursday night.
“It’s not a serious injury,” Diaz said. “Maybe a week or two. But Saturday just comes too soon for him. It’s a shame, he’s been playing really well.”
Johnson has 19 tackles, three TFLs, one sack and two QB hurries this season.
Missing two of the top four linebackers means Duke will lean on freshmen Elliott Schaper and Bradley Gompers. They will likely rotate in behind starters Luke Mergott and Tre Freeman.
“The only reason they haven’t really featured earlier is because the rotation was playing so well at linebacker with the older guys,” Diaz said of the freshman duo. “They’ve been preparing for the games, really for the whole month of September. Now they just get the opportunity to go out there and play.”
Otherwise, Duke’s availability report shows a lot of the same players unavailable. Safety Terry Moore remains out — Diaz reiterated earlier this week he’s likely to return in the second half of the season.
Cornerback Vontae Floyd and tight end Brett Elliott appear on the availability report as out for the first time this season. Duke doesn’t have any players listed with conditional status (doubtful/questionable/probable).
Syracuse side of things
The big news here has been known since last weekend.
Quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a torn Achilles at Clemson and is out for the season. He’s fourth in the country in passing yardage.
There are 10 players on Syracuse’s injury report listed as questionable or probable. Most notable among those are wide receiver Johntay Cook and safety Duce Chestnut.
