Duke will be without one of its top running backs for the forseeable future.
The program announced Tuesday that redshirt junior Jela Duncan will be out indefinitely due to a partially torn right pectoral muscle suffered during practice on Monday morning.
Duncan, who missed the 2014 season due to an academic suspension, combined for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns rushing in his first two seasons at Duke. He also had 32 catches for 212 yards and a score.
Duncan is the latest in a string of injured Blue Devils running backs. Head coach David Cutcliffe noted in a release that sophomores Joseph Ajeigbe and Shaun Wilson have “lower body injuries” and are not participating in contact drills. That leaves returning starter Shaquille Powell as the team's lone healthy scholarship back.
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“Just when you feel comfortable with four experienced running backs on the depth chart, three of them are in the training room,” Cutcliffe said. “Jela’s injury is obviously disappointing because we know how hard he’s worked to get back into the thick of things following the two shoulder surgeries. Joe and Shaun aren’t available right now, but neither appears to be out long term.”
To help the team’s depth, redshirt freshman Nicodem Pierre, the team’s third-string quarterback, has switched positions to running back.
“I’m really proud of Nico and how he’s handled this situation,” Cutcliffe said.
In addition to the injury to Duncan, Duke announced that junior cornerback Bryon Fields will miss “extended time during preseason camp due to a leg injury.” Fields started all 13 games for the Blue Devils in 2014 and registered 70 tackles and one interception.
Coming off a 9-4 record in 2014, Duke opens its 2015 season at Tulane.
For more Duke news, visit DevilsIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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