Heel Tough Blog: Availability Report- Clemson

For the first time this season, we have an availability report for the Tar Heels prior to gameday courtesy of the ACC. Here is a look at the status of the injured Tar Heels heading into Saturday’s game.

When it comes to the most notable things here, it has to start with quarterback Gio Lopez being questionable for this game after the injury that he suffered in the game against UCF. If Lopez is healthy enough, it appears like he is still going to be the starter for the team over Max Johnson based on the comments from Belichick on the situation earlier in the week.

As for the other big storylines, defensive end Pryce Yates being probable is a great sign and could be a huge boost for a defense that has been sorely missing him in the first four games of the season. The expectation is that he would slide right into starter-like reps depending on just how healthy he is and would be able to provide more havoc plays than we have seen from the guys up front so far this year.

The other notable injury status is Aidan Banfield, another offensive starter who got banged up against UCF. If he can go, there is a good chance that Will O’Steen, who came in for him in that UCF game would get his first start with the Tar Heels since transferring over from Jacksonville State this offseason.