Pitt will have 16 players out due to COVID-19 protocols

Sixteen Pitt players will not participate in Saturday’s matchup with Virginia Tech due to COVID-19 protocols, according to a statement from the Pitt Athletics Department. The specific players missing have not been named, but some that have been spotted at Heinz Field warming up include Kenny Pickett, D.J. Turner, Jimmy Morrissey, Bryce Hargrove, Alex Kessman and Patrick Jones II.

Pitt’s COVID-19-related absences will be offset to some degree by 12 absences on Virginia Tech’s side. Again, the identities of the missing players were not revealed by the school, but with such sizable portions of both teams missing, the absences have the potential to impact the Saturday afternoon matchup.

The announcement of Pitt’s 16 COVID-19-related absences follows the rescheduling of the team’s matchup with Georgia Tech from last Saturday to Dec. 12 and then to Dec. 10, a Thursday. Pitt also announced measures intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and comply with new rules issued by Pennsylvania’s government, as it will now require players on the sidelines to wear face coveringa during games at Heinz Field.

The game between Pitt and Virginia Tech is set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET, and it will air on the ACC Network. Both of the ACC rivals will carry a 4-4 record into the matchup.