Jared Wayne, Nick Patti Inactive for Pitt vs. Rhode Island

The Pitt Panthers will be without key pieces on offense vs. Rhode Island.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are slowly but surely becoming more whole after suffering a litany of injuries over the past couple of weeks. They'll be without some key players on both sides of the ball, but get some big pieces back as well. 

Starting quarterback Kedon Slovis is back in the lineup after missing the Western Michigan game. Slovis' backup, Nick Patti was in sweatpants while the Panthers warmed up ahead of kickoff. Head coach Pat Narduzzi had said earlier in the week that Patti and the rest of the quarterbacks were "ready to roll", but he is apparently not ready enough. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 and didn't travel to Western Michigan last weekend. 

Leading receiver Jared Wayne was also in street clothes as the Panthers went through their pregame routine. He didn't play in the second half last weekend after taking a nasty hit along the sideline. 

Starting defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado was dressed, but did not go through warmups and was omitted from the starting lineup. Reserve edge rushers Dayon Hayes, who didn't make the trip out to Kalamazoo during Week 3, and Nate Temple will not play against Rhode Island either. Defensive tackle Devin Danielson will not play either. Deslin Alexandre was once again dressed but is not in the starting lineup. 

Cornerback Marquis Williams, who also sat out the second half of the Western Michigan game with an injury was not spotted on the field before the game began. M.J. Devonshire was announced as the starter in his place. 

Center Owen Drexel is out for the second straight week after he suffered a leg injury against Tennessee and Gabe Houy, still listed as the starter at right tackle on the depth chart, remains out like he has all season Rodney Hammond was on the field, but not wearing pads. This is his third consecutive absence. 

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