As the Blue Devils prepare to open the regular season Thursday at 9:30 p.m. against Tulane, Duke released its weekly injury report. We look at who will be missing Thursday’s game and the implications going forward:
OUT
RB Jela Duncan (upper body)
DE Taariq Shabazz (leg)
OUT FOR SEASON
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
CB Bryon Fields (leg)
DT Zach Morris (leg)
Breakdown: There are no surprises heading into this weeks’s game against the Green Wave. Jela Duncan suffered a torn pectoral muscle during fall camp and is expected to miss at least the first few games of the season. Head coach David Cutcliffe told the media on Sunday that his status could be described as “week-to-week.” Look for Shaquille Powell and Shaun Wilson—who is also returning from a lower body injury—to get the bulk of the carries Thursday night with Joseph Ajeigbe and Nico Pierre possibly contributing depending on how close the game is.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Taariq Shabazz—who was not listed on the Blue Devils’ most-recent two-deep depth chart will also sit out the contest. Shabazz underwent knee surgery in August 2014, but it is unclear if he remains sidelined due to the surgery or due to another injury.
Kelby Brown, Bryon Fields and Zach Morris will all miss the season after various knee injuries sustained over the summer and in fall camp. Brown will be replaced by sophomore Zavier Carmichael at the mike linebacker position and sophomore Alonzo Saxton II will take over for Fields at cornerback. Both players saw plenty of playing time last season as freshmen and should ease into their starting roles. Morris, a true freshman, will redshirt this season, as the Blue Devils have plenty of options along the defensive line.
Be sure to check back with the Blue Zone next week for Duke's weekly injury report prior to the matchup against North Carolina Central.
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