Syracuse offensive tackle Justin Pugh will miss all of preseason training camp with a shoulder injury, coach Doug Marrone said during Big East media day on Tuesday.
Pugh suffered the injury during spring practice and didn’t participate in the spring game. He will be reevaluated at the end of August and could return as early as Syracuse’s season opener against Northwestern.
» SU picked 7th at Big East media day
“My goal is not to miss any games. That would be the best situation for me,” Pugh said to The Juice Online’s Brad Bierman. “I feel good. I feel like I could play right now, but that’s not up to me. That’s up to the guys who are professionals in this field.”
Marrone took a more conservative approach.
“We don’t really know where it was going to be,” Marrone said. “He wound up getting surgery and having it repaired. We really don’t have an exact date yet (for his return), but we know it’s not going to be for the preseason.”
» Can Syracuse make a bowl game this year?
Pugh has started 25 games for the Orange over the past two years and was a First Team All Big East selection last season. He is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, awarded annually to college football’s top interior lineman.
Marrone said sophomore Sean Hickey and redshirt freshman Kristofer Curtis would be possible candidates to fill in for Pugh.
“Justin Pugh has been a very good player for us, but it’s an opportunity (for Hickey),” Marrone said. “We’ve always felt great about Sean and his ability to play. Now is a great opportunity to go out there and play.”
For more Syracuse coverage, Like our Facebook page and follow us @TheJuiceOnline.
