Key Duke player will miss Syracuse game; one defender will return for NC State
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Duke loses linebacker Nick Morris to torn ACL; Kendall Johnson also out Saturday
- Virginia Tech lists 15 players out, players likely preserving redshirts after coach firing
- Wolfpack defender Cian Slone expected to return for NC State-Virginia Tech game.
A number of players will be out for N.C. State and Duke for their football games this weekend.
The Blue Devils travel to Syracuse with a scheduled kickoff at noon Saturday. The game will be on ACC Network.
The Wolfpack returns home to play Virginia Techat 7 p.m. Saturday on the CW.
A second report will be released on Friday and a third is required no less than two hours prior to kickoff. Players may be ruled out for any reason, including injury, illness, personal matter or eligibility.
Fifteen Virginia Tech players are listed as “out,” most of whom have played limited snaps and are presumably attempting to preserve their redshirt as they determine whether to remain with the program after Brent Pry’s termination. The transfer portal opened for 30 days after the announcement.
N.C. State and Duke both lost one player during their most-recent game. Wolfpack defensive end Cian Slone was taken off the field in the first quarter with an undisclosed upper body injury. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren said on Monday the team expected to have him back for the VaTech matchup. He was not listed as a potential absence.
“Not having Cian and Sabastian [Harsh] in the second quarter, you can definitely feel when both of those guys aren’t available,” Doeren said. “Cian got banged up in the game, and we think we’ll have him this week. The reports have been good, so it’s good news on that front.”
The Blue Devils, however, will be without linebacker Nick Morris for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL. This is Morris’ second ACL injury in as many seasons.
“I’m gutted for Nick,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said Monday. “One, just as a person because he came back from missing all of last year. And then second, as a player, because he’s absolutely one of the best players on our defense and was playing at an extraordinarily high level.”
Additionally, Duke will be without linebacker Kendall Johnson.
“We probably won’t have him,” Diaz said on Monday. “It’s not a serious injury — maybe a week or two — but Saturday just comes too soon for him. It’s a shame. He’s been playing really well.”
NC State-Virginia Tech injury report
Players out
N.C. State: Safety Renté Hinton; defensive back Isaiah Crowell; wide receivers Jonathan Paylor and Je’rel Bolder; cornerback Jaren Sensabaugh; linebackers AJ Richardson, Cole Wilson, Sterling Dixon, Kelvon McBride; and offensive linemen Brock Stukes, Tyler West and Trent Mitchell
Sensabaugh and Mitchell both appeared in the season opener. Richardson played in the first two games and recorded eight tackles. He missed the ACC opener against Wake Forest.
Virginia Tech: Safeties Quentin Reddish and Sherrod Covil; cornerbacks Joshua Clarke and Caleb Brown; wide receivers Keylan Adams, Chanz Wiggins, LJ Booker and Joseph Hobbs; running back Jeffrey Overton; linebacker Caleb Woodson; defensive linemen Sherrod Henderson, James Jennette and Andrew Hanchuk; offensive lineman Brody Meadows; and tight end Harrison Saint Germain
Woodson is the most-impactful player expected to miss the game on Saturday. He recorded 24 tackles in three games played. He did not appear in the game against Wofford.
Jenette, from Durham, also added nine tackles, 0.5 sacks and one pass breakup in four games.
Questionable players
N.C. State: Cornerback Jackson Vick
Vick was added to the injury report last week and was listed as a game-time decision. He did not participate against Duke. Vick
Virginia Tech: Wide receiver Shamarius Peterkin and offensive linemen Layth Ghannam, Jaden Muskrat and Johnny Garrett
Probable participation
N.C. State: N/A
Virginia Tech: Wide receiver Takye Heath and linebacker Gabe Williams
Duke-Syracuse injury report
Players out
Duke: Safety Terry Moore; cornerback Vontae Floyd; linebackers Memorable Factor, Nick Morris and Kendall Johnson; and offensive linemen Micah Sahakian, Jamin Brown, Evan Scott and Nathan Kutufaris; and tight end Brett Elliott.
In Morris’ brief return to the field, he contributed 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and two quarterback pressures.
Johnson, meanwhile, contributed 19 tackles and one sack in the first four games, including three tackles for loss.
Syracuse: Quarterback Steve Angeli; wide receivers Umari Hatcher, Darius Johnson and Julian McFadden; linebacker Derek McDonald; defensive back Nate Prater; running back Malachi James; and offensive linemen Matthew Hawn and Jackson Iak
During the Orange’s win at Clemson, Angeli left with a torn achilles. He underwent successful surgery this week but will miss several weeks. Angeli leads the ACC and is second in FBS with 1,317 passing yards, three yards behind Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson.
Questionable players
Duke: N/A
Syracuse: Defensive backs Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant; wide receivers Johntay Cook and Tyshawn Russell; defensive lineman Dion Wilson; and offensive lineman Trevion Mack
Grant contributed 13 tackles and one pass deflection in two games played.
Probable participation
Duke: N/A
Syracuse: Defensive lineman Denis Jaquez; linebacker Gary Bryant; defensive back Chris Peal; and Nick Armentano
Bryant has recorded 23 tackles in four games. During that span, Jaquez added 11 tackles and Peal contributed 18 with a pair of pass breakups.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM.
