By R.L. Bynum
North Carolina will be without several players for Saturday’s ACC opener at Clemson, according to the ACC’s first availability report released on Wednesday night. Defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude and linebacker Jordan Avinger are listed as questionable.
Abou Jaoude has been dealing with a right hand injury suffered in the opening-game win over TCU and was held out of the ETSU game. Avinger didn’t play in the first two games.
Seven Tar Heels are listed as out for the game, a group that includes wide receivers C.J. Sadler, Keeyun Chapman and Carnell Warren, along with tight end Jordan Washington.
According to multiple reports, first by Inside Carolina, Sadler and Chapman face charges after a Tuesday traffic stop at 1050 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Chapel Hill. According to the report, Sadler was charged with driving 60 mph in a 35 mph zone. Chapman is facing a misdemeanor gun charge.
“We are aware of the incident involving UNC football student-athletes Tuesday night in Chapel Hill. We are cooperating fully with the University and local officials, and will have no further comment while gathering additional information,” UNC said in a statement sent to Tar Heel Tribune.
Sadler played 49 snaps in the first two games but Chapman, Warren and Washington haven’t played.
Defensively, linemen Viliami Moala, Vodney Cleveland and Jimmy-Phrisco Alo-Suliafu, none of whom played in the first two games, are all ruled out.
UNC offensive lineman Jonah Rodriguez, who didn’t play in the first two games, is listed as probable.
Clemson quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who injured his non-throwing elbow, is listed as probable.
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ACC availability report
| Team | ACC | All |
|---|---|---|
| No. 5 Miami | 1–0 | 2–0 |
| No. 16 SMU | 1–0 | 2–0 |
| No. 25 Virginia | 1–0 | 2–0 |
| California | 1–0 | 1–1 |
| Duke | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| North Carolina | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| Pittsburgh | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| Virginia Tech | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| Wake Forest | 0–0 | 2–0 |
| Boston College | 0–0 | 1–1 |
| Clemson | 0–0 | 1–1 |
| No. 23 Louisville | 0–0 | 1–1 |
| Georgia Tech | 0–0 | 0–2 |
| Florida State | 0–1 | 1–1 |
| N.C. State | 0–1 | 1–1 |
| Stanford | 0–1 | 1–1 |
| Syracuse | 0–1 | 1–1 |
Thursday’s game
Syracuse at Pittsburgh, 7:30, ESPN
Friday’s game
No. 5 Miami at Wake Forest, 7:30, ESPN
Saturday’s games
North Carolina at Clemson, noon, ESPN
Mercer at Georgia Tech, noon, ACCN
N.C. State at Vanderbilt, 12:45, SECN
Maine at Boston College, 2 p.m., ACCNE
Florida State at No. 10 Alabama, 3:30, ABC
No. 16 SMU at No. 23 Louisville, 3:30, ESPN2
Wagner at California, 3:30, ACCN
Stanford at Duke, 4 p.m., The CW
West Virginia at No. 25 Virginia, ACCN
Virginia Tech at Maryland, 7:30, FS1
Thursday, Sept. 24, game
Clemson at California, 10:30, ESPN
Saturday, Sept. 26, games
Wake Forest at No. 23 Louisville, noon
Bucknell at Pittsburgh, noon, ACCNE
Virginia Tech at Boston College, noon
Central Arkansas at Florida State, 3 p.m., ACCN
William & Mary at Duke, 3:30, ACCNE
Delaware at No. 25 Virginia, 6 p.m., ACCN
Central Michigan at No. 5 Miami, 6:30, The CW
Appalachian State at N.C. State, 7:30, ESPNU
Missouri State at No. 15 SMU, 9 p.m., ACCN
Georgia Tech at Stanford, 10:30, ESPN
Photo courtesy of the ACC
