Fran Brown offered a new update on the wideout during his weekly coach's show.
Each week during the regular season, Syracuse Orange head football coach Fran Brown is scheduled to appear on his own coach's show. The locally produced one-hour show is live at Meier's Creek, a Central New York brewery.
The show happens on Thursday's most weeks, but is sometimes moved based upon the Orange's schedule for that week. Fans are encouraged to interact with Brown during the show. This week served as one of the unique non-Thursday shows, as the Orange are scheduled to visit Pitt for their third game of the season that night.
On this Tuesday edition, Brown offered a new update on freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III, who has been out since March because of a torn Achilles.
Latest update on the status of Calvin Russell III
Last week, Russell was listed as questionable and appeared at practice on Thursday and Friday. Russell then participated in pre-game warmups on Saturday before a 21-18 loss against Cal, but he did not see any action.
Brown said this in regards to Russell's status on Tuesday:
"I know for sure he’ll be cleared in regard to playing the first game of October, Can’t wait to get him out there. "
The first game in October follows a bye week that will happen after Thursday's game against Pitt. Syracuse won't play again until Oct. 3 against UConn.
An Achilles injury can take nearly a year to come back from, but Russell will make it back in just over six months.
As our own Brady Farkas noted last this week, Russell's circumstances during his college career have changed quickly because of the new "aged-based eligibility model."
While being "cleared" is a good thing, that does not completely guarantee that Brown and his coaching staff will play Russell in the matchup next month against the Huskies.
What type of impact could Russell have for the Syracuse offense?
Quarterback Steve Angeli struggled in his most recent start for the Orange, tossing three interceptions. Syracuse is looking to find any options to improve the offense and Russell could be just that.
The freshman wideout, who was a five-star recruit out of high school, will likely draw coverages even if he is not the primary target on an offensive play call.
The hope is that as Russell gains experience, he will grow into one of the best playmakers in the ACC.
What's next for Syracuse football?
ESPN will have the television coverage on Thursday night as the Orange play in the team's first road game of the season.
Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.
On the audio side, fans can listen across multiple affiliates in New York State. In the Central New York area, the game will be broadcasted on the radio side on TK99/105 (99.5/100.5 FM) and WAER (88.3) and through Cuse.com.
Following the game on Thursday, SyracuseRoundtable will be offering insight and takeaways from the evening contest.
