Pitt heads into a daunting Week 8 trip to face No. 1 Miami with a few possible reinforcements on the way.
The Panthers’ first injury report for the matchup listed defensive backs Rashan Murray and Joshua Guerrier, along with running back Ja'Kyrian Turner, as “Questionable.” That gives Pitt at least a chance to get back three players it missed in the 27-21 road loss to Boston College in Week 7.
Pitt enters the weekend at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play after back-to-back losses. Those defeats came with different quarterbacks under center, as fifth-year Holden Geriner started in the 21-17 loss to North Carolina in Week 6 and freshman Corey Dailey got the nod against Boston College.
Turner’s availability stands out most because Pitt has not been able to consistently use him this season. He has played in only three games, but he’s still put up 30 carries for 131 yards, good for 4.4 yards per carry, plus 10 receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.
His appearances have come in the opener, a 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio), the 35-33 road win over Virginia Tech in Week 5, and the loss to UNC, when he handled the ball five times for 27 yards. In his absence, freshman Damon Ferguson Jr. has taken on a much bigger role and delivered, leading Pitt with 83 carries for 438 yards, 5.3 yards per carry, and 16 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
If Turner is cleared, Pitt would have a better chance to lean on both him and Ferguson to build some rhythm on the ground, with sixth-year back La'Vell Wright also contributing. That kind of balance could matter a lot no matter who starts at quarterback.
The Panthers are going to need that run game because they’ve already shown what happens when the offense can’t keep pace. Against Boston College, Pitt struggled on the defensive side as well, allowing 295 passing yards and two touchdowns to an Eagles team that owns the third-worst passing offense in the ACC.
Guerrier’s return would matter in the secondary after Pitt leaned on sophomore safety Cole Woodson against Boston College and also in the UNC game when Guerrier was out. Woodson had trouble dealing with deep balls, and Guerrier should slide back into the starting role if he’s healthy enough to play.
Murray would deepen the back end even further, while sophomore Shawn Lee Jr. remains a veteran backup option if needed.
That secondary will be tested heavily against Miami, which brings one of the best passing attacks in the country and a quarterback and Heisman hopeful in Darian Mensah. The Hurricanes also feature star receiver Malachi Toney, who put together a huge night in the 2025 regular season finale at Acrisure Stadium, finishing with 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 38-7 win over Pitt.
For the Panthers, the formula is simple: they have to be sharp defensively from start to finish if they want any shot at slowing the top team in the nation.
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