Syracuse football's depth chart in week four at Clemson is out, and the Orange will have to disclose its first weekly injury report on Thursday. The 'Cuse roster is relatively healthy, although there are some key players on both sides of the field that we'll have to monitor related to the team's depth chart and the injury report.
The biggest one, to me, is sophomore running back Yasin Willis. He's the Orange's starting running back and missed the squad's last game, when Syracuse football handled Colgate last Friday night at the Dome. The ACC, by the way, is requiring its member schools to provide injury updates before conference games are played, but not non-conference contests.
While the 'Cuse rushing attack was okay against the Raiders, and admittedly, Clemson is struggling these days, the Orange needs Willis back for this Saturday afternoon's Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
At his weekly press conference on Monday, head coach Fran Brown didn't provide a ton of specifics, but there is some optimism that Willis will play on Saturday in Death Valley. The same appears to hold true about redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Trevion Mack, the Orange's starting left tackle who played well in week one against Tennessee in Atlanta.
On the depth chart, which is subject to change, at starting left tackle, it is listed as Mack or redshirt sophomore Naquil Betrand. The team's offensive line has had its ups and downs through three games, with Syracuse football at 2-1.
Versus the Tigers, the offensive line will need to be excellent, providing redshirt junior quarterback Steve Angeli with time to throw, while also enabling the 'Cuse to have a solid rushing attack to provide balance on offense.
Other Syracuse football players to keep tabs on in week four.
Starting safety Devin Grant, a senior, didn't play against Colgate. It looked like senior wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons banged up one of his fingers last Friday evening. Also, redshirt senior offensive lineman Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, the starting right tackle, left the Raiders encounter late with an apparent injury.
On the early week depth chart, all three are listed as starters, but that is subject to change on the depth chart. We'll also have to check out the injury report later in the week.
Two other guys who didn't play against Colgate were redshirt freshman wide receiver Emanuel Ross and sophomore running back/return man Malachi James. Neither is listed on the current depth chart.