Pitt Panthers Starting OL Out vs. Syracuse

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt Panthers will not have any of their starting offensive linemen when they face the Syracuse Orange at Acrisure Stadium.

Panthers redshirt senior Branson Taylor did not show up for warmups for the game against the Orange. In the 17:15 home win against Cal on October 12 in Week 7, he suffered an injury early in the final game and missed the rest of the game.

Redshirt junior Terrence Enos Jr., his backup at left tackle, will start for Pitt against Syracuse. He came in for Taylor during the Cal game and played the remaining snaps at that position.

Taylor started all six games this season and 11 games last season. He started the first three games of the 2023 season at right tackle and eight of the next nine games at left tackle after Matt Goncavles suffered a season-ending injury. Goncalves moved to the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts took him in the third round of the 2024 draft.

He also played in all 13 games in 2022, making four starts at left tackle when Carter Warren was sidelined with an injury that kept him out most of the season.

Sixth-year offensive lineman Ryan Jacoby, who also left early against the Golden Bears with an injury, dressed for this game and will start at left guard. Fellow sixth-grader Jason Collier Jr. had to fill in for Jacoby and will remain as a backup for this game.

Jacoby missed the entire 2023 season due to an injury sustained during fall camp in August, and injuries continued to hurt him this season as he also missed the Cincinnati game in Week 2 and the Youngstown State matchup in Week 4 .

Sophomore Rasheem Biles, who missed the Cal match, has returned from injury to start at money linebacker for Pitt against Syracuse.

Pitt will have all of its normal starters and backups available for this matchup, with the exception of redshirt senior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson, who has not played since the season opener against Kent State on August 31, and redshirt freshman defensive end Maverick Gracio, who misses his direct matchup.

Make sure you bookmark it With the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage and more!

Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt