Good News for UNC, Bad News for Virginia in Injury Report

North Carolina’s injury outlook improving ahead of Saturday’s game; Virginia loses key contributors, including star wide receiver.

Oct 17, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick looks on before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

The ACC has released its weekly injury reports, giving us a clearer idea of who will and will not play in Saturday's game against Virginia at noon.

Ranked No. 16 in the country, Virginia will be the first—and potentially only—Top 25 team to play in Kenan Stadium this season when they take on North Carolina (2-4) in the 130th meeting between the two schools in the “South’s Oldest Rivalry.”

UNC Huddle; Oct. 4, 2025 | Jackson McCurdy, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

The Tar Heels have won three of the last four games between the two programs, including last season's matchup, which ended in a 41-14 rout by Carolina.

North Carolina

CB Thaddeus Dixon | Grant Chachere, North Carolina Tar Heels On SI

Out

• DB #1 Thaddeus Dixon
• LB #28 Chinedu Onyeagoro
• LB #33 Tyler Houser
• OL #51 Peter Pesansky
• DL #84 Laderion Williams
• DL #86 Kamarion Thomas
• TE #87 Cort Halsey
• TE #88 Deems May

Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs running back Kevorian Barnes (2) scores a touchdown as safety Austin Jordan (1) celebrates and North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Thaddeus Dixon (1) defends in the third quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

There are no surprises here. Cornerback Thaddeus Dixon has been out since North Carolina’s bye week at the beginning of the month, after leaving the Clemson game early due to injury. He was expected to miss significant time. This has been positive for the Tar Heels, who have not had to make any lineup changes due to injuries.

Questionable

Holy Cross football coach Dan Curran and player Christo Kelly talk during practice at the school Tuesday. | Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• LB #44 Jake Bauer
• OL #53 Christo Kelly
• K #97 Guytano Bartolomeo

The only other notable player on the injury list is Christo Kelly, who was ruled questionable. Kelly was expected to be the starting center after serving in that role during fall camp, and he was nominated by the coaching staff for the preseason All-ACC team ballot despite being a newcomer from Holy Cross. However, he has seen limited playing time this season due to injuries.

Virginia

Oct 4, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Cam Ross (6) catches a pass against Louisville Cardinals defensive back D'Angelo Hutchinson (21) during the second quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. | Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Out

Nov 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Xavier Brown (0) runs on his way to scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

• CB #1 Dre Walker
• WR #2 Andre Greene Jr.
• CB #3 Kevon Gray
• WR #6 Cam Ross
• DB #7 Ja'Maric Morris
• CB #9 Jam Jackson
• TE #9 Dakota Twitty
• QB #19 Grady Brosterhous
• RB #20 Xavier Brown
• WR #23 Triston Ward
• RB #29 Davis Lane Jr.
• S #38 Armstrong Jones
• OL #54 Makilan Thomas
• DL #56 Tyler Simmons
• OL #71 Monroe Mills
• OL #78 Kevin Wigenton II
• WR #80 Trevor Ladd

Virginia will be without two of its top offensive contributors for Saturday's game, as star wide receiver Cam Ross and Xavier Brown, the Cavaliers' No. 2 running back, have both been ruled out.

Ross does it all for the Cavaliers, contributing as both a receiver and return specialist. Ross has 28 catches for 329 yards and two touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and five kick returns for 207 yards (41.4 yards per return), including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Probable

Nov 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Virginia Cavaliers offensive lineman McKale Boley (52) blocks at the line of scrimmage against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

• OL #52 McKale Boley
• TE #89 John Rogers

Left tackle McKale Boley is probable for the game. Boley, a three-year starter, has played 1,867 snaps in his career. He is the second-highest graded offensive lineman behind Wilson, with a 73.9 offensive grade.

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