Durham, NC – In a significant setback for the Duke Blue Devils football team, head coach Manny Diaz announced that star wide receiver Jake Bobo will miss the next four games due to injury.
Bobo, a senior and one of the team’s top playmakers, suffered an undisclosed injury during Duke’s recent matchup against Virginia Tech. While the specifics of the injury remain unclear, Diaz confirmed that Bobo will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Bobo’s absence deals a substantial blow to Duke’s passing game, which has relied heavily on his production this season. Through five games, Bobo has amassed 354 receiving yards and three touchdowns, making him the team’s leading receiver.
“Jake is an integral part of our offense,” Diaz said during a press conference. “His ability to stretch the field and make big plays has been crucial to our success. We’ll need others to step up in his absence.”
In Bobo’s absence, sophomore wide receiver Jordan Moore is expected to see increased playing time. Moore has shown promise in limited action, hauling in 12 receptions for 157 yards.
“Jordan has been preparing for this moment,” said quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Kurt Roper. “We’re confident he can fill the void and make plays.”
Redshirt freshman Eli Pancol also may see additional snaps, providing a larger target for quarterback Riley Leonard.
A three-year starter, Bobo has been a stalwart for the Blue Devils’ receiving corps. With 1,834 career receiving yards, he ranks among Duke’s top 10 all-time leaders.
“Jake’s been an incredible player for us,” Diaz praised. “His work ethic and dedication are unmatched. We’ll miss his presence on the field, but we’re confident he’ll return strong.”
According to Diaz, Bobo’s rehabilitation process is expected to take approximately four weeks, putting him on track to return for Duke’s November 4th matchup against rival North Carolina.
“Jake will undergo rehab and treatment to ensure a full recovery,” Diaz explained. “We’ll monitor his progress closely and adjust his timeline as needed.”
To compensate for Bobo’s absence, Diaz hinted at potential adjustments to the team’s game plan.
“We’ll need to be more creative with our play-calling and utilize our tight ends and running backs more,” Diaz said. “Our offense will need to be more versatile.”
Teammates expressed support for Bobo, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
“Jake’s a leader on our team, and we’ll miss him,” quarterback Riley Leonard said. “But we have faith in our depth and ability to adapt.”
The Duke Blue Devils compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Under the guidance of head coach Manny Diaz, the team seeks to improve upon last season’s 5-7 record.
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