Pitt OL Jake Kradel Making Progress in Injury Recovery

The Pitt Panthers could get more of Jake Kradel this week.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers could see more of one of their starting offensive linemen this week, as Jake Kradel works his way back to full health after suffering an undisclosed injury earlier in the year. 

"Jake did a nice job," Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said. "He did a nice job coming in, and I think he’s feeling a little bit better than he felt last week, so we’ll keep working on it."

Kradel played the last time the Panthers took the field against Wake Forest but didn't start. He and Blake Zubovic, another Panthers offensive lineman who's been at the top of his position's depth chart all season, played against the Demon Deacons but didn't come into the game until the second half. B.J. Williams and Jason Collier Jr. had manned the guard spots in their absence. 

When he did, Kradel played right guard, not the center spot he had occupied from Weeks 1 through 3. Panthers coaches had hinted that, with his backup, Terrance Moore having played well over the past four games, they would entertain the idea of moving Kradel back to his natural position at guard. But Narduzzi said this week that they hadn't yet made any final decisions about how they'll use him against Notre Dame. 

"We'll look at it," Narduzzi said. "I mean, Jake was back and Blake was back, so we had really four guards that played for us, and just trying to find the best combination now. I think they are all back healthy, or at least close to being healthy right now. So I can't tell you I like anything yet but we'll keep looking."

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