Pittsburgh running back Ray Graham is unlikely to play in the school’s season opener against Youngstown State on Sept. 1, according to a report by ESPN. Citing sources close to the situation, the report states that the senior running back is still recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee and has been limited in fall drills.
Ray Graham Injury Update: Pitt Star Unlikely For Opener
Ray Graham is unlikely to play in Pitt’s opener against Youngstown State.
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If Graham is unable to play, sophmore Isaac Bennett is expected to start with freshman Rushel Shell acting as back-up. Prior to sustaining the injury, Graham was the nation's second leading rusher and was a key member of Pitt's offensive attack.
Here’s what SB Nation’s Bill Connelly wrote about the back while previewing Pitt earlier this offseason:
1. The Panthers are deep at running back. Assuming Ray Graham is 100 percent healthy this fall (he was lost to a knee injury in the eighth game of the season), Pitt returns a back with serious workhorse potential. Graham averaged 25 carries per game over the first six contests last season and owns seven career 100-yard games and a career Adj. POE of plus-23.5 (meaning he has been about four touchdowns better than the average back given his carries, blocking and opponents). He has some interesting backups, too; Isaac Bennett managed a respectable minus-0.7 Adj. POE last year as a freshman thrust into service with Graham’s injury. Bennett, sophomore Corey Davis and incoming high-four-star signee Rushel Shell should give Pitt interesting options when Graham needs a breather.
You can read the full preview, here.
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