Duke QB Riley Leonard's status uncertain for Louisville game
Posted October 23, 2023 3:08 p.m. EDT
Updated October 23, 2023 4:09 p.m. EDT
Durham, N.C. — Duke football coach Mike Elko reiterated a common refrain Monday when asked about the health status of starting quarterback Riley Leonard.
Leonard left Saturday’s game against Florida State due to an ankle injury with a little bit less than seven minutes left in the third quarter.
“I think, after talking to the doctors and everyone, that Riley is going to be day to day,” Elko said.
Leonard’s status remains unclear for Saturday’s game against Louisville.
Saturday’s 38-20 loss to Florida State marked Leonard’s first game back since suffering a right ankle injury against Notre Dame. Duke fell four spots to No. 20 in the AP Top 25.
Duke’s offense mustered only 35 yards after Leonard left the game and backup quarterback Henry Belin replaced him. Belin completed one of his six passes for seven yards.
It appeared Leonard tried convincing Elko to go back in the game on the sideline. Leonard was seen running around and warming up after leaving the game.
Leonard finished Saturday’s game completing seven of 16 passes for 69 yards and an interception.
Duke (5-2, 2-1 ACC) led in the second quarter of Saturday’s game 17-7.
“By and large, we handled it really well for three quarters,” Elko said of his team’s effort against Florida State. “I think there’s probably another level that it has to go to in the fourth quarter.”
On Monday, Elko said Duke senior cornerback Myles Jones is “day to day” with an injury.
“It will probably be a race against the clock to get him ready for Saturday,” Elko said of Jones’ injury.
On Saturday, Duke surrendered three consecutive fourth-quarter scores.
“The one thing I don’t question about this group is response,” Elko said.
Duke plays on the road at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against Louisville. The game airs on ESPN.
Louisville (6-1, 3-1 ACC) is coming off a bye week. The week before, Louisville lost 38-21 to Pittsburgh.
The Blue Devils’ defense will try to slow down junior running back Jawhar Jordan, whom Elko called the most explosive running back in the ACC.
Jordan has 661 rushing yards on 89 carries (7.4 yards per carry). He has nine total touchdowns.
