North Carolina heads into Saturday’s matchup with Louisville facing some real uncertainty on both sides of the ball, and the latest injury report only adds to the pressure.
The Tar Heels have already spent weeks managing injuries on defense, but the bigger concern now sits with the offense. The Ohio State transfer is on the injury report for the first time this season after Thurman limped off on the opening possession last week. He stayed in and finished the game, but he’s now listed with an undisclosed injury heading into this one.
That’s a problem for North Carolina because Thurman has been central to the passing game. Through nine games, he has 45 catches for 525 yards and eight touchdowns. If he can’t go, the Tar Heels would need Jordan Shipp to shoulder a much bigger load through the air.
The secondary is also still not at full strength. Waters remains in question after suffering an upper-body injury against Duke in Week 7, and he has not played since.
North Carolina has managed without him, but Louisville is averaging 40.8 points per game, so this is not the week to be short-handed in the back end. If Waters misses a fourth straight game, Bill Belichick will have to keep digging for answers.
One defensive absence is already confirmed. Miller has been ruled out for Saturday after being sidelined since the Pitt game with a significant injury. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound cornerback may not play another snap this season.
North Carolina comes into the game needing one more win to become bowl eligible, but Louisville’s record doesn’t tell the full story. The Cardinals’ three losses have come by a combined nine points, with defeats to Ole Miss, Wake Forest, and North Carolina State. Both teams have lived in one-possession games this season, and both have paid for it.
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