Skip to main content
SI

No. 22 UNC loses OG Peterson, LB Smith for year to injuries

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) No. 22 North Carolina has lost starting offensive guard Caleb Peterson and linebacker Jonathan Smith to season-ending injuries. The

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) No. 22 North Carolina has lost starting offensive guard Caleb Peterson and linebacker Jonathan Smith to season-ending injuries.

The school said Thursday that Peterson will have back surgery Friday in Dallas. The senior started 42 games and made 30 straight starts before missing the Virginia Tech game two weeks ago.

College Football Bracket Challenge

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Peterson joins guard John Ferranto, who was lost to a preseason injury, as starting linemen the Tar Heels have lost for the season.

Smith, a true freshman, suffered a broken right foot in practice before the Virginia Tech game. He had surgery Thursday in Chapel Hill. He had played in six games.

UNC plays at Virginia on Saturday.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Published | Modified