A pair of key players will not play in the UNC football program's home opener

Just prior to Saturday afternoon's season opener, we learned that two key UNC football players were not suited up for the game.

Those two players are backup running back Darwin Barlow and star defensive end Kaimon Rucker. Inside Carolina reported that neither player was suited up for warmups, indicating that both will be sidelined for the game.

Shortly after the above report, North Carolina revealed injury updates before the start of the game.

Rucker is expected to be out for "a couple of weeks," as he'll undergo a procedure on his lower body. Barlow will be sidelined due a lower-body injury as well, while defensive end Malaki Hamrick will not suit up due to illness.

Barlow would likely have had an opportunity to see some extended playing time on Saturday afternoon, with the hope being that Omarion Hampton won't have to have a load of 25+ carries. In the case of Rucker, he is the heart and soul of the UNC football program's defense, as his presence on the outside is going to be missed.

The news regarding Rucker is tough to swallow, as the hope is that he won't miss too much action. The same case can be said about Barlow, who doesn't have a timetable for his return, but his injury doesn't appear as severe as Rucker's. At this point, we'll have to wait and see just how long the injuries sideline both of these UNC football standouts.

Continue to follow the Keeping It Heel team for the latest news and updates regarding Darwin Barlow, Kaimon Rucker and the entire UNC football program.