Health Still Looms for Pitt’s Running Back Unit
PITTSBURGH — On Monday of each game week, Pitt gives out its probable two-deep depth chart.
The names that are highlighted, are usually the starters for the upcoming game. Sometimes there are two names highlighted, and there is an “or”, next to the names.
Last week, with starter A.J. Davis and backup Vincent Davis both sitting out due to injury, V’Lique Carter was named the starter and Todd Sibley was the backup.
That decision wasn’t known until game time against Delaware.
Heading into the Panther’s second ACC contest of the season, even more uncertainty looms the running back unit.
“We’re going to find out,” Narduzzi said of the injured back Monday. “I don’t know — I wish I could tell you everything, but I can’t tell you.”
Both Davis’, Carter, and Sibley are all highlighted with an “or” next to their names as four-way co-starter
When head coach Pat Narduzzi was asked Monday if the reasoning for this was due to injury, Narduzzi said, “What do you think it is? — Yeah (it’s due to the health).”
Sibley, who was the fourth guy on the depth chart last week, had the best performance of any the running backs through the first five games. He ran for 106 yards against Delaware, becoming Pitt’s first 100-yard rusher of the year.
Duke’s defense is giving up 140 rushing yards per game this season.
Which ever one of the backs or if it is a collective effort, they will be given a chance to make an impact like Sibley was able to do last week.
We saw in the first four games that our backs were too small, lacked quickness to the line and did not have the strength to break arm tackles. Sydell is the biggest back and as the OL improved his yards would have too. The worst was Narduzzi’s arrogance of chasing off the top recruit of 2018 by dropping him down the roster behind 3 marginal D1 levels RBs. If Shaluddin did not transfer his 220 lbs with Siddell 230 would match or surpass Hall/ Olson yards last year. You do not force out the #24 RB in the country reminds… Read more »
He dropped down the depth chart because he was injured and still essentially rehabbing. He didn’t want to stay and earn his place like Olison did for several years. Don’t let the e door hit you