Who is OUT for the 2024 Pitt Blue-Gold Spring Game?

If there’s one goal that Pat Narduzzi has every spring, it’s for his Pitt squad to stay healthy.

Through 13 spring practices this year, he isn’t super happy with how the Panthers have managed injuries. There’s been one season-ending injury (Nate Temple) and some knocks here and there, and there are quite a few Pitt players not playing in the Blue-Gold Spring Game this weekend.

This isn’t to say that each inactive is due to injury, but of course, it’s just the spring game. There’s no need to risk — or worsen — injuries.

The inactive list includes starters, walk-ons, camp risers and everything in between. So, let’s see who’s out — and who might still play.

Blue Team 

RB Derrick Davis Jr. — probable

DT Nakhi Johnson — probable

OG Dorien Ford — out

C Terrence Moore — out

RB Rodney Hammond Jr. — out

WR Censere Lee — out

WR Poppi Williams — out

WR Benny Haselrig — out

LB Solomon DeShields — out

DE Zach Crothers — out

DT Thomas Aden — out

Derrick Davis Jr. and Nakhi Johnson appear to be game-time decisions for Saturday. I’d envision that both of them will play, at least a little bit.

Rodney Hammond Jr., Terrence Moore and Solomon DeShields are all secure in their spots on the two-deep depth chart. It’s a shame that Censere Lee and Poppi Williams will be unable to play, but it will create opportunities for the young wideouts.

Dorien Ford has had an up-and-down career since committing to Pitt as a four-star recruit out of Baldwin and missing the spring game is another tough break.

Gold Team 

WR Izzy Polk — probable

DT Sean FitzSimmons — probable

DT Francis Brewu — probable

CB Tamarion Crumpley — questionable

OG Ryan Jacoby — out

OT Branson Taylor — out

WR Peter Vardzel — out

DE Nate Temple — out

LB Keye Thompson — out

LB Jordan Bass — out

CB Shadarian Harrison — out

CB Tamon Lynum — out

S Cruce Brookins — out

Izzy Polk, Sean FitzSimmons and Francis Brewu will likely play, and the latter two will be needed as the Gold team only has two other defensive tackles, but it doesn’t seem likely that Tamarion Crumpley will play.

The big disappointment is that Ed Conway Award leader Cruce Brookins will not play. The dynamic second-year freshman has been perhaps the most talked about player on the roster this spring, and he very likely will still bring home the Conway Award. But he will not be in action Saturday.

Temple, of course, is out for the season, and Narduzzi said earlier this spring that Ryan Jacoby would not participate during the spring as he rehabs from an offseason injury.

The bumps and bruises across the Gold team defenders is disappointing now, but barring a setback, all will be ready to go for fall camp in August.