Injuries Have Hindered Seminoles During Second-Half of Season

The initial injury report for the Florida State-Pittsburgh game was updated on Wednesday. Florida State has suffered some impactful personnel losses this season.

However, they could see some key players return to key positions this week.

The Seminoles have four players listed as probable for the game at Pitt:

Additionally, linebackers Blake Nichelson and Caleb LaVallee could see action against the Panthers.

Nichelson missed eight games and only has three tackles for the season. So, there might be some rust there.

LaVallee has 17 tackles on the season, but did not play against Boston College.

Nichelson and LaVallee will provide depth at the position and can give Chris Jones a breather from time to time.

Jones leads the team in tackles with 64, and had eight stops at Boston College.

K.J. Kirkland has posted 14 tackles on the season and rejoins a unit that had success in their win over Boston College.

Both Nehemiah Chandler and Ja’bril Rawls had interceptions in the 31-24 won over the Eagles.

After missing the Clemson game, Kirkland recorded two tackles in the Boston College game.

Kicker Conor McAneney missed two games this season. McAneney had a touch back rate of 82.93 percent in seven games this season.

Gabe Panikowski has performed well on kickoffs in his absence, with a touch back rate of 72.73 percent. Panikowski also scored a touchdown on a fake field goal play at Boston College.

After rushing for 58 yards against Boston College, running back Tre Wisner will sit this one out against Pitt.

Wisner joins Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton Jr. as ball carriers that will not be dressing as they are out for the season.

As a result, freshman Amari Thomas will be the only running back left on the active roster with any game experience.

Thomas and quarterback Ashton Daniels will handle the running game for the Seminoles.

Thomas had career highs of 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the win over Boston College.

The Pitt defense will be tough to crack at the second level as they allow just 68 yards per game rushing to their opponents, and allow 2.24 yards per carry.

Receiver Duce Robinson is out for the season with a torn ACL, and his height advantage on contested catches is sorely missed.

However, Jayvan Boggs, Micahi Danzy and Jasen Lopez have been productive. Danzy and Boggs both have over 400 yards receiving.

The freshman Lopez has caught four passes for over 50 yards in each of the last two games, and scored his first receiving touchdown against Clemson.

Lopez also has filled in as the punt returner and has averaged 11 yards per return.

Florida State will look to even their record at 5-5, and also earn their second road victory of the season, against the Panthers.