CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — After six North Carolina starters were listed as questionable in Wednesday’s initial report, the ACC released a promising availability report Friday ahead of the Tar Heels’ Saturday night game against Syracuse. The six UNC starters Jordan Shipp, Cost of Kaleb, Benjamin Room, Peyton Waters, Jordan Room And Aeron Burrell which were listed as doubtful Wednesday and Thursday were upgraded to probable.
Shipp’s inclusion in the report Wednesday came as somewhat of a surprise after the tackle appeared to emerge unscathed from Saturday’s 24-20 win over Duke, as he led the Tar Heels with seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Hall’s inclusion was to be expected, as the guard left the contest with a hamstring injury suffered during Carolina’s first practice and did not return. Up front, starting left tackle Jordan Hall appears on track to make his first appearance since UNC’s Sept. 19 loss at Clemson.
Defensively, Cost appears on track to return after suffering a lower-body injury in the first quarter of UNC’s 21-17 win at Pitt on Oct. 10. Meanwhile, Waters, one of Carolina’s starting safeties, also appears ready to return after leaving last Saturday’s win over Duke in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury. Having both defensive backs available should provide a significant boost to Carolina’s secondary as it prepares to contain Syracuse’s Umari Hatcher, who leads the ACC in receiving yards.
Likely for UNC
WR #1 Jordan Shipp
Cost of Kaleb DB #2
RB #7 Benjamin Hall
DB #7 Peyton Waters
OL #66 Jordan Room
K#92 Aeron Burrell
Outing for UNC
WR #4 Mason Humphrey
DB #6 Tre Miller
DB #17 Jakob Weather Spoon
Delivery Boy #35 Ashton Blatt
DL #56 Viliami Moala
WR #82 Keeyun Chapman
DL #88 Vodney Cleveland
DL #92 Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu
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UNC will release its final availability report two hours before kickoff Saturday. According to the ACC’s availability reporting policy, a probable designation indicates a 75 percent chance of playing, while doubtful and questionable designations indicate 50 percent and 25 percent chances, respectively.
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