Pitt Football Releases Week 2 Depth Chart

There is movement at running back in the Pitt Panthers' Week 2 depth chart.

Author:
Stephen Thompson
Updated:
Sep 5, 2022 1:30 PM EDT

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PITTSBURGH -- The Pitt Panthers have released their second depth chart of the 2022 season and it looks largely the same as the Week 1 edition published before the West Virginia game.

There is one major edit, though. Pitt Head coach Pat Narduzzi and offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. had named junior Israel Abanikanda the lone starter at tailback ahead of the Backyard Brawl, but after sophomore Rodney Hammond accounted for 129 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the ground against the Mountaineers, Hammond has been elevated. He and Abanikanda have been listed as co-starters this week.

But Hammond's status for this weekend's game against Tennessee is in question. He left in the fourth quarter of the season opener with a gnarly foot injury. Hammond left Acrisure Stadium that night with a boot on his right foot but insisted that he was fine. Narduzzi declined to provide an update on Hammond or any other players that suffered injuries during Week 1.

Deslin Alexandre is another name to monitor closely. The two-time Pitt captain is still listed as the starter at defensive end and John Morgan, who was outstanding in Alexandre's absence to the tune of four tackles - three for loss - a sack and a forced fumble, is still his backup.

Elsewhere on the depth chart, super senior Gabe Houy is still listed as the starter at right tackle for Pitt. He dealt with an achilles injury during fall training camp and didn't play against West Virginia, even though he was dressed and did go through warm-ups. Redshirt junior Matt Goncalves got the start and played the vast majority of the game at that spot. Redshirt sophomore Branson Taylor stepped in later in the game as Goncalves tired, according to Narduzzi.

"I think Branson will get more time," he said. "Probably should have subbed him in earlier. It's a long game. ... I think Matt might have gotten a little tired toward the end. It's an emotional game, it's a physical game and Branson came in and did well.

Narduzzi also added during his weekly press briefing with local media that, in addition to Taylor, there are other players listed as reserves that should have played more, receiver Jaylon Barden and linebacker Tylar Wiltz especially. He took responsibility for not getting them more snaps.

"I told guys the night before the game ... this is an evaluation period," Narduzzi said. "You put good stuff on tape ... at different positions, if you get two or three good plays in, then we have to get you more. ... Sometimes coaches make mistakes and we don't sub guys enough or we don't have a good enough plan or don't see the amount of reps guys are taking or not taking."

See the full depth chart for Pitt's next game against Tennessee below.