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.
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