Pitt Dealing With Two Injuries at OL

The Pitt Panthers could get their center back this week but another starter's status is in question.
Pitt Dealing With Two Injuries at OL
Pitt Dealing With Two Injuries at OL /
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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are dealing with injuries to a pair of starting offensive linemen, one old and one new but both open questions heading into Wake Forest this week. 

Center Jake Kradel and Blake Zubovic are both questionable as the Panthers open Week 8, both dealing with undisclosed injuries. That's a step in the right direction for Kradel, while Zubovic looks to make a comeback after not appearing against Louisville. 

Kradel's outlook is as optimistic as it's been since he was hurt in practice leading up to the North Carolina game in Week 4. For the first time all season, there was an OR listed in between he and Terrance Moore at center and head coach Pat Narduzzi said that was intentional, with Kradel nearing a return.

"There's a chance this week where I don't think there was a chance last week," he said.

Zubovic was a surprising omission from the lineup against Louisville. He dressed but did not play in the Panthers' upset and B.J. Williams filled in at right guard while Jason Collier Jr. manned Zubovic's spot at left guard. 

Narduzzi assured this week that Zubovic had not been replaced, but was unavailable to play against the Cardinals. He'll be back in the lineup as long as he's healthy, a question they'll answer during this week of practice. 

"I don't know, maybe Blake will be ready to go or Kradel will be ready to go," Narduzzi said. "Make Blake will be ready to go, I don't know."

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work: