Like the week before against Virginia Tech, the Louisville football program could be without a few of their top playmakers when they host Virginia this evening.
Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee (foot) will not play against the Cavaliers, while wide receiver Jamari Thrash (wrist) and running back Jawhar Jordan (hamstring) are both game-time decisions, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Brownlee has been dealing with a nagging foot injury since the Pitt game on Oct. 14. He exited the second half of the game against the Panthers, played against Duke on Oct. 21 before re-aggravating his foot, then was forced to miss last week's game against VT.
Thrash has been dealing with an injury to his left wrist since mid-October, even playing in the game at Pitt with his wrist heavily taped up. He had nine catches for 120 yards at Pitt, seven catches for 73 yards vs. Duke, then was forced to miss the contest with the Hokies.
Jordan played in the first series of the game at Pitt, logging two carries for eight yards, then exited the game. He was able to go vs. Duke, rushing for a career-best 163 yards and two touchdowns, but was held to 57 yards and a touchdown against VT.
Brownlee has been a key component to Louisville's efforts in the secondary. In seven starts and eight appearances, the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback is third on the team in pass breakups with four, is tenth on the team in tackles with 21, and has also collected a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
Thrash is Louisville's clear top option in their passing attack and one of the top wide receivers in the ACC. Starting in eight games, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound wideout has caught 46 passes for 712 yards and six touchdowns. His receptions total tied for No. 51 nationally and his yardage mark placing 32nd.
With Brownlee out again, expect Storm Duck to start his second consecutive game. In the last game vs. Virginia Tech, Duck led the Cardinals in tackles with seven while also collect an assisted tackle for loss and a pass deflection that led to an interception by linebacker T.J. Quinn.
If Thrash cannot go, Louisville will once again need one of their other pass catchers to step up in his place. Against Virginia Tech, Louisville only had to pass the ball 12 times, with Chris Bell and Jadon Thompson combining for five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
As for Jordan, expect head coach Jeff Brohm to once again split carries between Isaac Guerendo and Maurice Turner. Guerendo is coming off of a career performance vs. Virginia Tech, rushing for 146 yards and three scores, both of which were career highs.
Kickoff vs. the Cavaliers is set for 7:30 p.m. EST at L&N Stadium.
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