Duke football injury report: Miami

As the Blue Devils prepare to open their ACC slate against Miami Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens Fla., Duke released its weekly injury report. We look at who will be missing Saturday's game and the implications going forward:

QUESTIONABLE

QB Thomas Sirk (leg)

OUT

TE Dan Beilinson (upper body)

DE Dezmond Johnson (leg)

CB Johnathan Lloyd (lower body)

DE Taariq Shabazz (leg)

Breakdown: The addition of Thomas Sirk to the list is a moderate concern going into Saturday's game, as he is becoming a key part of a Duke rushing game that has dominated opponents thus far. According to multiple reports, Sirk has a muscle strain in his leg that has prevented him from practicing this week. In a similar, but magnified role last season, former Blue Devil quarterback Brandon Connette accounted for three touchdowns inside the five yard line when he relieved Anthony Boone in the red zone. Cutcliffe said Thursday that redshirt freshman Parker Boehme, who saw playing time during mop-up duty against Elon, has been practicing in Sirk's place and could see time running the ball.

Dezmond Johnson is listed as out for the second straight week after injuring his right leg against Kansas. The redshirt senior was seen on crutches before the Tulane game, but was without them on the sideline last Saturday. Nevertheless, Johnson is not heathy enough to play this week and it will be up to reserves Kyler Brown and Jonathan Jones to stop the explosive Duke Johnson.

A little good news did come out this week, as guard Lucas Patrick is not listed after sitting out the Tulane game with an injury. Reserve Cody Robinson played well in his absence, but with Patrick back, the Blue Devils will have a complete and healthy offensive line this weekend.

Be sure to check the Blue Zone this weekend to see if Sirk gets the green light and check back Thursday October 9 for the weekly injury report prior to the matchup against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.