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Duke football injury report vs. Miami

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As the 6-5 Blue Devils prepare to take on Miami at Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
S Jordon Byas (lower body)
S Anthony Young-Wiseman (leg)

QUESTIONABLE
S Brandon Braxton (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
CB Lee Butler (leg)
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: As this week’s injury report is released, the Duke secondary does not have much to be thankful for. In a year where the Blue Devil defensive backfield has been ravaged by injuries, it lost another key member last week when redshirt senior Lee Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury. Tony Foster will fill in for Butler at cornerback this weekend.

The Blue Devils are still banged up at the safety position heading into their season finale against Miami. After missing Duke’s last three games with a leg injury, Brandon Braxton is listed as questionable this week, his best injury status since he played his last game against North Carolina on Oct. 20. Fellow safeties Jordon Byas and Anthony Young-Wiseman are each listed as probable and should suit up for Saturday’s contest.

Braxton’s availability will be crucial for Duke’s depleted secondary. Walt Canty and Dwayne Norman will start alongside Ross Cockrell and Foster, but with very little depth at corner and safety this week you could see the healthy members of Duke’s secondary lining up all over the place. Cockrell is expected to spend a fair amount of time playing various safety positions this weekend, which means you should see redshirt junior Garett Patterson get more reps at cornerback than he has seen all season.

The health of the Blue Devil secondary has been the story of this season on the injury front. It’s only fitting that for Duke’s final injury report of the regular season, the only players listed are members of the team’s defensive backfield.

Duke football injury report vs. Georgia Tech

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As the 6-4 Blue Devils prepare to take on Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
C Brian Moore (leg)
S Dwayne Norman (upper body)
RB Juwan Thompson (upper body)

DOUBTFUL
S Anthony Young-Wiseman (leg)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
S Brandon Braxton (lower body)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: For most, the bye week was just what the doctor ordered for Duke, but for Brandon Braxton that was simply not the case.

Braxton, who started Duke’s first five games of the season at safety, has struggled with injury issues as of late. He will miss his third-consecutive contest Saturday against Georgia Tech with a lower body injury he suffered in practice nearly four weeks ago. Braxton will give way to true freshman Dwayne Norman, who is probable for Saturday’s game and is expected to make the sixth start of his young career.

Issues at safety continue to be the story of the season for the Blue Devils. Walt Canty remains the only player who has started every game for Duke at safety this year, and the team has lost two safeties for the season due to injury, had one leave the team for personal reasons and had one ineligible to play while sitting out the year after transferring.

Anthony Young-Wiseman’s leg injury only makes matters worse for the Blue Devils at the safety position. He will be listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game and leaves Duke with very little depth in the defensive backfield. Expect to see cornerbacks Ross Cockrell and Lee Butler sliding over to one of the Blue Devils’ three safety spots in the 4-2-5 defense, which will also mean more time on the field for Tony Foster at corner. The defensive backfield has a daunting task this weekend, responsible for providing run support against the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option attack and often finding themselves on islands against deep throws from quarterbacks Tevin Washington and Vad Lee.

Injuries in the secondary aside, the bye week was certainly helped Duke to get healthy after back-to-back crushing losses to Florida State and Clemson. Head coach David Cutcliffe said in his weekly media luncheon that had the team played a game last Saturday, “We probably would have had eight guys not play” who will suit up against Georgia Tech this weekend. Those include offensive starters Juwan Thompson and Brian Moore, who are listed as probable this week, along with tackle Perry Simmons and defensive end Kenny Anunike.

“The two-game stretch took a toll on us,” Cutcliffe said. “We had guys already banged up, and we got to the point where they were worse. Being able to rest everybody helped us get a large number of people back.”

With substantially better health on their side, the Blue Devils will have quite the test on their hands this weekend, trying to improve on their 1-3 road record against an offense that posted 68 points last week in a win against North Carolina.

Duke football injury report vs. Florida State

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As the 6-2 Blue Devils prepare to take on Florida State at Doak S. Campbell Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
DE Dezmond Johnson (lower body)
DT Jamal Wallace (lower body)

QUESTIONABLE
QB Brandon Connette (shoulder)

DOUBTFUL
S Brandon Braxton (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)
S Anthony Young-Wiseman (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: As the Blue Devils make their final preparations for the Seminoles this weekend, an injury in practice Wednesday caused a bit of a shake-up to their gameplan.

Starting safety Brandon Braxton finds himself back on the injury report this week with a lower body injury and is listed as doubtful for this weekend’s contest. Braxton’s role in the defensive backfield will likely be filled by freshman Dwayne Norman, who started in Braxton’s absence in Duke’s win against Virginia.

Braxton wasn’t the only Blue Devil safety to find himself back on the injury report this week. Anthony Young-Wiseman will not play against Florida State due to an injured leg, becoming the latest of Duke’s safeties to be knocked out of action.

The other notable player listed on the injury report is Brandon Connette, who did not play in last week’s victory against North Carolina. Connette did not practiced this week and Duke’s utility man will likely be a gametime decision.

Defensive end Dezmond Johnson and defensive tackle Jamal Wallace are both be listed as probable this week. Given that both players suited up in last week’s contest against the Tar Heels, this appears to be merely a precaution.

One notable omission from the injury report this week was wide receiver Conner Vernon, who did not practice Sunday after tweaking his knee on a freak collision with North Carolina linebacker Shakeel Rashad. Vernon was hit from behind as Rashad substituted onto the field in the late stages of Duke’s 33-30 victory. Rashad received a one-game suspension Monday for the hit.

It will be interesting to see how head coach David Cutcliffe addresses Duke’s gametime decisions, specifically Connette and Braxton, coming into this weekend’s matchup with Florida State. It would not be surprising to see Cutcliffe playing it safe with his injured players in this week’s contest. The Blue Devils are 26 point underdogs heading into Saturday’s road test in Tallahassee, and some might consider it logical to minimize potential injury risks as Duke heads into its final three games against Clemson, Georgia Tech and Miami. The Blue Devils have not had a single open date this year and will not receive a bye week until Nov. 3, a week after it faces Clemson. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out this weekend in Duke’s toughest test of the year.

Duke football injury report vs. North Carolina

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As the 5-2 Blue Devils prepare to take on North Carolina at Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday at 7 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
NG Jamal Bruce (foot)
DE Justin Foxx (hand)
S Chris Tavarez (leg)

QUESTIONABLE
OT Takoby Cofield (lower body)
QB Brandon Connette (shoulder)
DE Dezmond Johnson (lower body)
DT Jamal Wallace (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: Continuing to fight through bumps and bruises, Duke is confident that it will have most of the players on this week’s injury report available for Saturday’s ACC contest against North Carolina.

Jamal Bruce and Justin Foxx, who returned for the lineup for the Blue Devils last week in the team’s loss to Virginia Tech, are listed as probable this week and will likely play alongside safety Chris Tavarez, who is also listed as probable.

When it comes to the players listed as questionable, that’s when it gets a bit more hairy for Duke. Quarterback Brandon Connette was knocked out of the Blue Devils’ last game on the team’s opening drive with a shoulder injury and did not return. He did not practice earlier in the week, but this morning head coach David Cutcliffe seemed confident that Connette would be able to suit up against the Tar Heels Saturday.

Defensive end Dezmond Johnson, also listed as questionable, was not expected to play against Virginia Tech but made the start after being listed as doubtful on last week’s injury report. He’s been upgraded to questionable this week alongside defensive tackle Jamal Wallace, who did not play against the Hokies. Johnson and Wallace hope to be available Saturday when the Blue Devils’ interior attempts to neutralize the ACC’s top running back, Giovani Bernard, after the defensive line’s poor showing against the run last week.

Despite being ravaged by injuries throughout the season, Duke’s offensive line has remained healthy until this week. Tackle Takoby Cofield is the final Blue Devil listed as questionable this week, and it appears he will remain a game-time decision for Saturday’s matchup with the Tar Heels. After providing excellent pass protection through the team’s first six games, the Blue Devil offensive line took a lot of hits against Virginia Tech, allowing quarterback Sean Renfree to be sacked five times. If Cofield were unable to play this weekend against North Carolina, Duke would likely either shift dave Harding from guard to tackle or turn to John Coleman or Carson Ginn to protect Renfree’s blind side.

The biggest surprise on this week’s injury report could be the absence of starting quarterback Sean Renfree. Renfree, who made his return to the lineup last week after missing Duke’s victory against Virginia with an elbow injury, missed two series after sustaining a shoulder injury in the second quarter. The Blue Devil signal-caller was quickly assessed on the sideline and returned to the game. After spending the past few weeks listed on the team’s injury report, it was a bit of a surprise to not see Renfree’s name this week after taking such a vicious hit and missing some snaps, but it appears Cutcliffe is confident his quarterback is fully recovered and ready to go for Saturday.

Duke football injury report vs. Virginia Tech

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As the 5-1 Blue Devils prepare to take on Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
S Brandon Braxton (upper body)
CB Lee Butler (lower body)
DE Justin Foxx (hand)
QB Sean Renfree (arm)
S Chris Tavarez (leg)

QUESTIONABLE
NG Jamal Bruce (foot)
DT Jamal Wallace (lower body)

DOUBTFUL
DE Dezmond Johnson (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: This week was a huge improvement on the injury front for the Blue Devils.

After missing last week’s win against Virginia with an elbow injury, starting quarterback Sean Renfree has been upgraded to probable on this week’s injury report. Renfree participated in pre-game warmups before last week’s game but was unable to go, giving way to backup Anthony Boone, who threw a career-high four touchdown passes in his first start. Chances are Renfree will take the reins for the Blue Devils once again heading into this weekend’s ACC matchup with the Hokies. However, Duke head coach David Cutcliffe has indicated that Boone will likely see an increased role in the team’s offense after Renfree’s return.

Duke saw its health improve on the defensive side of the ball this week as well. After missing last week’s contest, safety Brandon Braxton will make his return to the field for the Blue Devils. Braxton is listed as probable for Saturday’s game. He will be joined by cornerback Lee Butler, also listed as probable, who has played pretty banged up for Duke the last couple of weeks. Tony Foster stepped in for the injured Butler, recording his first career interception against Virginia. Butler hopes to be at 100 percent and should be more available for this weekend’s contest against the Hokies.

Justin Foxx, who has missed the Blue Devils’ past four games after having surgery on his right hand, is listed as probable for Saturday as well. Foxx’s return will help to bolster Duke’s defensive interior, which has missed multiple starters for most of the year. The line is still a battered and bruised heading into this weekend, with defensive tackles Jamal Wallace and Jamal Bruce both listed as questionable and defensive end Dezmond Johnson listed as doubtful. Wallace and Bruce will likely be game time decisions. Bruce has yet to appear for the Blue Devils in a game this season and just made his return to the practice field this week. Duke would like to have as much interior support on the defensive line as possible when dealing with a running threat like Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas.

Another injured Blue Devil also made his return to practice from a recent surgery this week. Safety Chris Tavarez, who had surgery to repair a torn left meniscus just three weeks ago, has rehabbed ahead of schedule and looks like he will be good to go for Saturday as well. In his return to the lineup, Tavarez should make an impact on special teams.

Overall, the injury outlook appears positive for Duke heading into this weekend. Expect Renfree to play, and although he might not be completely healthy, Anthony Boone has asserted himself as a threat off the bench and will be available to give the Blue Devils a change of pace. With one of Duke’s toughest road tests looming, having defensive starters make their returns to the lineup will be a huge confidence boost.

Duke football injury report vs. Virginia

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As the 4-1 Blue Devils prepare to take on Virginia at home Saturday at 3 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
David Helton (leg)

QUESTIONABLE
CB Lee Butler (lower body)
QB Sean Renfree (arm)
DT Jamal Wallace (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
S Brandon Braxton (upper body)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
NG Jamal Bruce (foot)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)
DE Justin Foxx (hand)
S Chris Tavarez (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: It’s no secret that Duke got bitten by the injury bug in last week’s win against Wake Forest, and it’s no surprise to see all five starters the team lost during the game on this week’s injury report.

Clearly, the Blue Devils’ primary concern will be the health of starting quarterback Sean Renfree. Renfree, who is listed as questionable for this week’s contest against Virginia, sat out the entire fourth quarter in Duke’s victory against the Demon Deacons last weekend.  Head coach David Cutcliffe said this morning that his signal-caller would be a game-time decision for the Blue Devils’ matchup with the Cavaliers. If Renfree cannot go, Duke will turn to backup Anthony Boone, who led the team’s final two touchdown drives against Wake Forest.

The Blue Devils’ defensive personnel in this weekend’s matchup will ultimately depend on the health of the starters they lost last weekend. Linebacker David Helton, who was knocked out of the game early in the first quarter against Wake Forest, is listed as probable this week and will likely play. Cornerback Lee Butler, who has now left Duke’s last two games due to injury, and defensive tackle Jamal Wallace are both listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. It is expected that like Renfree, they too will be game-time decisions.

Although it has flown under the radar with the loss of Renfree this week, the loss of safety Brandon Braxton will be a huge blow to Duke’s defensive unit. Braxton, who is third on the team in tackles in his first year playing on the defensive side of the football, has been a huge asset to the Blue Devil defense despite the countless injuries the unit has faced. The safety will not play in Saturday’s game against Virginia, giving way to freshman Dwayne Norman, who replaced Braxton in last weekend’s contest and played the best game of his college career. Ultimately, the team hopes that Braxton’s injury will not keep him out of action for very long, as Duke continues to play with a depleted secondary.

There could be two very different Duke teams that square off with the Cavaliers Saturday. If the Blue Devils end up on the right side of these game-time decisions, the team will have an excellent chance to improve to 5-1 against a struggling Virginia team. But if Renfree and other key starters are not able to go, we could be in for a wild game at Wallace Wade.