UNC Football: Tar Heels down two defensive lineman against JMU
UNC loses two defensive lineman for Saturday’s game against James Madison University
The North Carolina Tar Heels football team got a double-dose of bad news on Friday as they prepare for James Madison.
When the Tar Heels host the Dukes in their home opener on Saturday, they will do so without two defensive lineman.
Tar Heel Illustrated is reporting that freshman defensive end Tomon Fox has suffered a knee injury that will sideline him indefinitely. The injury occurred during Thursday’s practice in Chapel Hill, as Larry Fedora has yet to comment on the matter.
The freshman has played in both of the Tar Heels games this season, playing on 80 snaps and being a bright spot on the defensive line.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Fox is expected to have surgery on the knee. More details will be revealed once Fedora and the staff speak.
Losing Fox hurts what is already a thin rotation at defensive line. Against Georgia, that line struggled to get pressure on both Bulldogs quarterbacks and was dominated by the offensive line.
They played much better against Illinois in week two, a sign of what could be in the future of this season. But this injury is now a big hit to that unit.
Fox’s injury isn’t the only one in the news for the Tar Heels.
The site is also reporting that Nazair Jones will miss Saturday’s game against the Dukes due to a concussion:
As with Fox, Fedora hasn’t commented on Jones’ status either. But do not expect him to see the field on Saturday, especially with the Pittsburgh Panthers looming in a big ACC matchup in two weeks.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill. Check back with Keeping It Heel for more on the Tar Heels’ football team.
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