Pitt WR Censere Lee Still Working Back From Injury
There’s been growing optimism surrounding Pitt football’s wide receiver room, especially when it comes to the depth of that unit.
However, one of the depth pieces in the room is still working back from a season-ending injury suffered in November.
Senior wide receiver Censere Lee was not listed on the initial depth chart of the 2025 season, and Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi provided more clarity on his status.
“C.J. is still recovering,” Narduzzi said. “C.J. could be in the two deep. I just said, ‘Leave him off.’ But C.J. could play in this game, if we need him to, if we want him to. C.J. is available, okay?
“We’re going to be safe and smart with him. He was a starter a year ago, in our opinion. He’s back to maybe 99%. We are just going to be sure. Chris Hanks has done a good job monitoring him, making sure we don’t go too fast ’cause he’s way ahead of schedule. He was behind schedule in January. He has worked his tail off. We thought probably in the summer he was going to be ready by October. He’s ready in September, for sure.”
Lee was present during the entirety of training camp and running through drills as he continues to recover from his injury.
When Lee returns, he figures to be a an instrumental member in the receiver room that brings experience in Kade Bell’s offense. Lee transferred to Pitt after two seasons at Western Carolina. During the 2024 season, he played in 10 games where he caught 19 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Lee saw his first season in Pittsburgh cut short due to an injury suffered a leg injury during Pitt’s matchup against Clemson on Nov. 16.
“C.J. Lee, he’ll be out, as well, with it looked like — I’m no doctor, but a patella tendon,” Narduzzi said following the game in his postgame press conference.
At Western Carolina (2022-23) under Bell, Lee played in 22 games with 14 starts as he compiled 82 receptions for 1,426 yards and 14 touchdowns.
