Pitt Starting LB Ruled Out Against Cal

PITTSBURGH — Rasheem Biles was a bit banged up in the win against North Carolina last week, but he returned to the field a few times. He won’t be on the field against Cal.

Biles, who has starred at Money linebacker this season, did not dress for warmups ahead of a conference matchup against Cal and will not play against the Golden Bears. Braylan Lovelace is receiving the start in his stead.

Biles has been one of the best defensive players on the roster this season, playing 227 snaps across all five games. He’s recorded 40 tackles, a team-high eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three pass breakups in a breakout campaign.

Lovelace returned from injury against UNC and has recorded 13 tackles (six solo) and a tackle for loss this season.

Kyle Louis and Brandon George will play heavily against Cal, as has been the case over the last few weeks, and Lovelace and potentially Keye Thompson will receive heavier workloads. It opens an opportuntity for someone like Jordan Bass for additional snaps, too.

It’s a tough break for Pitt, but the linebacking unit will continue as expected against the Bears.