Pitt Dealing With Two Injuries at OL

PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers are dealing with injuries to a pair of starting offensive linemen, one old and one new but both open questions heading into Wake Forest this week.

Center Jake Kradel and Blake Zubovic are both questionable as the Panthers open Week 8, both dealing with undisclosed injuries. That's a step in the right direction for Kradel, while Zubovic looks to make a comeback after not appearing against Louisville.

Kradel's outlook is as optimistic as it's been since he was hurt in practice leading up to the North Carolina game in Week 4. For the first time all season, there was an OR listed in between he and Terrance Moore at center and head coach Pat Narduzzi said that was intentional, with Kradel nearing a return.

"There's a chance this week where I don't think there was a chance last week," he said.

Zubovic was a surprising omission from the lineup against Louisville. He dressed but did not play in the Panthers' upset and B.J. Williams filled in at right guard while Jason Collier Jr. manned Zubovic's spot at left guard.

Narduzzi assured this week that Zubovic had not been replaced, but was unavailable to play against the Cardinals. He'll be back in the lineup as long as he's healthy, a question they'll answer during this week of practice.

"I don't know, maybe Blake will be ready to go or Kradel will be ready to go," Narduzzi said. "Make Blake will be ready to go, I don't know."

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