PITTSBURGH — Despite going through warmups and being named a starter on the Acrisure Stadium before the game, Israel Abanikanda is not expected to play against Syracuse after sustaining an injury at the end of the North Carolina game.
It’s a crushing blow to Pitt’s offense gameplan, an offense that Abanikanda has put on his back this season with an ACC-leading 1,086 yards and 16 touchdowns. Abanikanda is the nation’s leader in all-purpose yards, all-purpose yards per game and scoring.
With Abanikanda out, Pitt’s offense will likely rely heavily upon Rodney Hammond Jr., and Vincent Davis and C’Bo Flemister will receive increased workloads.
Kedon Slovis will also be expected to move the offense downfield against a Syracuse secondary, while without its top cornerback this week, that has been one of the best in the ACC.
