UNC QB Sam Howell got injured vs. Pitt with NFL scouts watching. What happens next?
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell suffered an upper body injury in their 30-23 overtime loss at Pitt on Thursday and his availability for Saturday’s game against Wofford is unknown, the school announced on Monday.
Howell, who had his non-throwing arm in a sling after the Pitt game as the team headed to the bus, is expected back for the Tar Heels’ regular season finale at N.C. State on Nov. 26.
“Sam will be with the doctors this week and see if he can practice, he wants to play Saturday and if he can, he will,” UNC coach Mack Brown said. “He feels like he’ll be 100 percent for (N.C. State) next week. But he and the doctors will make the decision day-to-day and a game day decision of whether he’ll play this weekend or not.”
Regardless of if he plays or not, it will be his last appearance in Kenan Stadium as an active player. Brown said Howell will participate in Senior Day activities and will not be back for his senior season in a decision that was finalized last week.
Brown has hinted for the better part of the past year that Howell’s junior year would be his last at UNC before turning pro.
“Our job is to do what’s best for these young people,” Brown said. “And if he is ready to leave, and he’s ready to make a bunch of money, then we think he should leave.”
The NFL had 21 teams — including five general managers — represented at Heinz Field on Thursday primarily to watch Howell and Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is also considered a top prospect.
Howell took a lot more physical punishment this season than his previous two years. UNC allowed an ACC-worst 39 sacks, including five against Pitt, which already passed last year’s total of 34 with two games left.
Howell also added designed runs to his repertoire, which was a function of losing 1000-yard rushers Javonte Williams and Michael Carter from last season. Howell was within reach of the rushing benchmark with 727 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
But in the process of running, he took a lot more hits. UNC’s coaching staff indicated that they were comfortable using Howell in the running game because they were more confident with the depth they have at quarterback.
Now that confidence might have to be put into action against Wofford with the Tar Heels (5-5, 3-4 ACC) still need one more win to become bowl eligible.
If Howell is unable to play, Carolina will have to start one of its reserves in sophomore Jacolby Criswell or freshman Drake Maye. Criswell had a 47-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Bryson Nesbit against Georgia State, but the most experience that either player has is mainly taking snaps to run out the clock, not trying to manufacture an actual drive.
Brown said Criswell and Maye have split reps with the second team the entire season, but that there was no clear separation between the two players. If they’re forced to play without Howell, this game might help determine the future of the program at quarterback.
“That’s another reason the fans need to come out and say thank you to the seniors and say thank you to Sam,” Brown said. “...fans need to come out and see the future at quarterback because that’s what they’re gonna have on on Saturday.”