Senior defensive end Rashad Weaver and safety Damar Hamlin, two key members of Pitt’s starting lineup with NFL aspirations, did not make the trip to Atlanta with their teammates and will not play Thursday night against Georgia Tech, according to a travel roster issued by the university.
Earlier this week, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi declined to speculate on the possibility of any of his players missing the game for reasons other than injury or covid protocols.
“We’ll find out who’s on the field Thursday night, period,” he said at the time.
Pitt also reported no players will miss the game for covid-related reasons.
SEC reporter Matt Zenitz reported Tuesday that Weaver was not expected to finish the season with his teammates, but the university declined comment at the time.
Sources: The expectation is that Pittsburgh star defensive lineman Rashad Weaver won’t play again this season.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 7, 2020
Has already now signed with an agent.
Potential first-round draft pick who is tied for third nationally with 14.5 tackles for a loss.
Hamlin, a Central Catholic graduate, has been with the team since 2016. He successfully petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility so he could play this season.
Hamlin leads the Panthers in tackles (67) and pass breakups (seven). He also two interceptions, one fewer than team leader Paris Ford, who opted out after seven games. Sophomore Erick Hallett is expected to replace Hamlin in the starting lineup.
Preseason All-American Jaylen Twyman opted out in August and has missed the entire season. All four players, plus defensive end Patrick Jones II, are expected to be selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones did travel with the team to Atlanta.
Weaver, a Bednarik Award semifinalist, has collected 17 career sacks among his 34½ tackles for a loss. He played in nine of Pitt’s first 10 games this season, missing the opener after getting conflicting results from four covid-19 tests.
Weaver recorded a total of 20 tackles for a loss and 9½ sacks as a redshirt freshman and sophomore in 2017 and ’18, but he missed the ’19 season with a knee injury suffered in training camp.
He returned this season and developed into one of the top edge rushers in the nation, along with Jones, another Bednarik semifinalist who lines up on the other side of the line.
Weaver leads the ACC and is tied for third in the nation with 14½ tackles for a loss. He also has 7½ sacks and leads the team in quarterback hurries (12) and forced fumbles (three).
Weaver’s absence left a void at defensive end, but Pitt has young depth at that position. Before Thursday’s game, sophomore backup John Morgan has six TFLs and three sacks. Habukkuk Baldonado, also a sophomore, has missed all but three games with an injury, but he had 5½ TFLs and four sacks last season.
Junior Deslin Alexandre has played end and tackle. He replaced Weaver after his injury last season.
