Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Georgia State Game Injury Updates

By Mark DeMott

Sep 3, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Caleb Hood (4) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers linebacker Andrew Parker (15) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Boone, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Caleb Hood (4) is tackled by Appalachian State Mountaineers linebacker Andrew Parker (15) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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It looks like we will have to wait until Saturday to find out if these UNC football players will be available against Georgia State.

The UNC football team did something that many power conference teams are not comfortable doing last Saturday.  They went on the road to a hostile environment and escaped Boone with a thrilling victory over App State.

However, unlike fellow ACC members NC State and Virginia Tech, the Heels will be doing this for the second consecutive week on Saturday.  Unfortunately for UNC, they did not leave Saturday’s contest without a few key players getting banged up.

Tar Heel Illustrated has reported that both running back Caleb Hood and offensive tackle Spencer Rolland have joined Josh Downs on the injury report.  The status of all three players for Saturday is currently uncertain, and it looks like we won’t find out if they will be suiting up until game day.

Hood has been one of Carolina’s lead-backs thus far.  He was the team’s leading rusher in Boone on Saturday, rushing for 87 yards on six carries, including a crucial 71-yard carry to set up a touchdown during the marathon fourth quarter.

Luckily for the Heels, running back has been one of the deepest position groups so far this season. Omarion Hampton, George Pettaway, and DJ Jones all scored touchdowns in Boone last week.  All three backs have gotten significant playing time in the first three games and should be able to carry the load if Hood is unavailable against GSU.

Spencer Rolland is the top right tackle on the offensive depth chart.  Listed behind him is true freshman Zach Rice, the five-star recruit who was the top-ranked player in UNC’s 2022 class.  If Rolland is unable to play, Rice could make his first career start in Atlanta.

Josh Downs is listed as questionable for the second consecutive week following an injury suffered against the win over Florida A&M.  He missed last week’s game against App State, but some young Tar Heels were able to step up and fill the void against the Mountaineers.

Redshirt freshman Kobe Paysour made his first career start and filled in for Downs quite nicely.  He had a team-leading eights receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.  Although Paysour proved he is capable, it would still be a huge boost for the UNC football program to get their best receiver back on the field this Saturday.

It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff manages these situations, especially with a bye coming up next week.  Following Saturday’s game, the Heels won’t take the field again until September 24th against Notre Dame.

Stick with Keeping it Heel for future updates on whether or not these Tar Heels will suit up this Saturday.

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