Doctor Robert: Pitt vs. Akron Injury Report

Pitt came into the season a little banged up highlighted by season-ending injuries to starting tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith and backup running back Rachid Ibrahim. That trend continued with starting running back James Conner being lost for the season this week.

The Conner injury hurts, but as we mentioned, there's at least some depth at running back. But the Panthers have some other injury updates as well.

In the good news department, backup running back Chris James appears fine and, per coach Pat Narduzzi, is expected to play after coming out of Saturday's game a little banged up. Narduzzi also said defensive lineman Darryl Render will be fully ready to go after sitting out the opener. He also said that Render could have gone if if was absolutely necessary, so hopefully with the added rest he is back to full capacity.

On the offensive line where there had been some injury concerns to starters Artie Rowell and Adam Bisnowaty, both of those guys played against Youngstown State. Narduzzi mentioned there would probably continue to be some shuffling, but it sounds as if those guys will play going forward.

One guy Pitt is waiting a bit on is starting safety Reggie Mitchell. Mitchell had some injury issues and came out of the Youngstown State game. Narduzzi was less committal about him saying that he felt like they may have him for the Akron game but that he was day-to-day and would be evaluated later in the week. He was hoping to get him back for practice by Wednesday to see where he was at that time.

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