Syracuse football could find itself without various key players when the Orange hosts fellow Atlantic Coast Conference foe Duke on Saturday afternoon before an expected sell-out crowd at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Per the 'Cuse injury report required to be submitted by the ACC on Thursday nights before conference games, among those listed as out are redshirt senior linebacker Derek McDonald, redshirt senior wide receiver Umari Hatcher, freshman wide receiver Darius Johnson and sophomore running back/return man Malachi James.
Those listed as questionable include:
Redshirt senior defensive back Duce Chestnut
Junior wide receiver Johntay Cook II
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Dion Wilson Jr.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tyshawn Russell
Senior defensive back Devin Grant
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Trevion Mack
Orange players who are listed as probable include:
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Denis Jaquez Jr.
Redshirt junior linebacker Gary Bryant III
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Chris Peal
Syracuse football could be without some critical players in week five.
Duke has a potent passing attack, led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Tulane. Given that, it is a little concerning that the Orange could be without some important defensive players, particularly starting safeties Chestnut and Grant, along with a starting cornerback in Peal.
The 'Cuse (3-1, 1-0 in the ACC) picked up a huge win last Saturday afternoon against Clemson in Death Valley. Syracuse football wants to keep the momentum going, although the Orange will have redshirt sophomore quarterback Rickie Collins under center after redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli was lost for the rest of the 2025 season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
On Friday, the 'Cuse remained a betting underdog at home versus the Blue Devils (2-2, 1-0 in the ACC). I assume a lot of that has to do with Collins now being the starting signal-caller for the Orange. Heading into last weekend's game, Angeli was leading the country in total passing yards.
Syracuse football's defense will have to hold up against Mensah and the Duke offense, which is fairly potent. On the flip side, the Blue Devils' defense hasn't proven overly strong to date in the current campaign, and I could envision the 'Cuse relying on its rushing attack while allowing Collins to settle in.
I'll keep tabs on the Orange's injury report ahead of Saturday's game to see if any additional updates are made by the Syracuse football program.