LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville’s backfield could again be short-handed for Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Pittsburgh.
Running backs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson are listed as questionable on the Cardinals’ first-ever ACC-mandated injury availability report, released Thursday night. And KeJuan Brown, who performed well in their absence Saturday against Bowling Green, is listed as out.
It’s part of a new conference-wide protocol requiring schools to disclose player injury statuses two days before ACC games, then again on the day before and two hours prior to game time.
Brown, the returning ACC offensive player of the year who ranks second in the nation in yards per carry, was limited to just two snaps and a single 18-yard run in last weekend’s 40-17 win over Bowling Green. Watson did not play at all.
Head coach Jeff Brohm said earlier in the week he wasn’t sure of either player’s availability.
In their absence, KeJuan Brown started and ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Preliminary injury report from the ACC.
But the running back corps is not the only one with injury questions. Starting defensive linemen Rene Konga and Wes Bailey are listed as questionable, as is starting SAM linebacker Antonio Watts. Linebacker Stanquan Clark already has been lost for an extended period with a lower leg injury.
True freshman Braxton Jennings added his first career touchdown at running back last week, while fellow freshman Jamarice Wilder — who has also been ruled out for Saturday — carried four times for 15 yards.
Louisville’s rushing offense ranks sixth in the ACC at 156 yards per game — but it will face a stiff test this weekend. Pitt’s defense has allowed just 83.7 rushing yards per game through three games, the third-lowest total in the league.
Depending on whether Konga and/or Bailey can play, Louisville's defensive line depth could be in for a test.
Louisville (3-0) is looking to start ACC play on the right foot — but will need to do so potentially without key contributors on both sides of the ball.
The ACC describes probable as "Likely to play; greater than 50% chance." It lists questionable as "Uncertain to play; less than 50% chance."
The full availability report is at right. The next report is expected Friday at 8 p.m.
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