Pitt Optimistic About Braylan Lovelace's Return

The Pitt Panthers could have reinforcements on the way.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers could have some reinforcements arriving just in time to face No. 14 Notre Dame on the road this week. 

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said this week that he is optimistic about the progress backup linebacker Braylan Lovelace has made this week after not playing against Wake Forest, but how much he'll be able to contribute is an open question.

"I feel good with where he is, but when you’ve got guys that are a little bit banged up, how many snaps can they get you? And how long does that get you?" Narduzzi said. "But I feel like he maybe could give us a play or two."

The Panthers sorely missed Lovelace and fellow freshman reserve linebacker Kyle Louis, neither of whom made the trip down to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After starter Solomon DeShields went down with an injury on the opening kickoff, true freshman Jordan Bass was thrust into an emergency starting role. 

Linebackers will be important this week as the Panthers try to contain outside runs that have given them trouble this season against Notre Dame, a dominant rushing team. 

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