Breathe easy.
After rumors rumbled throughout the internet Saturday of a potential unspecified injury to Kedon Slovis, Pat Narduzzi reassured there's nothing to worry about.
One of the two quarterbacks vying for the Pitt starting job supposedly sustained an injury during Saturday's closed practice, but you wouldn't have recognized it on Monday morning at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, based on those rumors. (Some went as far as writing he was carted off the field, although DK Pittsburgh Sports was told nothing worrying happened.)
When asked Monday morning about Slovis' status, Narduzzi reflected upon another injury sustained on Saturday.
"I got hurt Saturday. My knee's a little sore," Narduzzi quipped.
But, he continued and reaffirmed nothing serious to be concerned about regarding Slovis, and that he was going to practice on a limited basis Monday.
"I wouldn't say he got hurt, but he'll be probably out today a little bit, and then probably back tomorrow," Narduzzi said. "It's nothing significant."
By "tomorrow," Narduzzi is referring to Pitt's next practice on Wednesday, as Tuesday is a scheduled day off. But, he did mention that if Pitt was practicing tomorrow, Slovis would be a full-go.
The Panthers got into full pads on Sunday, and the rest of the team is a full-go from this point onward.
"When we go live, it's live," Narduzzi said. "There's no holding back. We're going. ... I don't want them getting into a 15-20 play live period where it's out of control. We're still teaching them how to get into that mode, just like we're teaching them the other tempos. Just teaching them how to practice and take care of each other."
VOTES ARE IN
The Panthers were voted 16th in the preseason edition of the USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll, which was released Monday.
Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson checked into the top four, with Notre Dame, Michigan, Texas A&M, Utah, Oklahoma, and Baylor rounding out the top 10.
Pitt finished 13th in the final Coaches Poll last season. They also ended 13th in the final Associated Press Top 25 ranking.
Other ACC rivals included in the preseason poll were NC State (13th), Miami (17th), and Wake Forest (19th).
"I mean, that's great," offensive lineman Branson Taylor said. "That's a real good number to hear, but we're more worried about what our ranking is at the end of the year."
GETTING ACCLIMATED
Transfer running back C'Bo Flemister is also getting into full-go mode, after arriving from Notre Dame. He said he's currently rooming with former Fighting Irish teammate Shayne Simon, a linebacker, and hasn't had much of a chance to delve into Pittsburgh's downtown area since arriving a couple of days before fall camp began.
"As far as the facilities, the program, the coaches, the culture, I think I came in and fit right in," Flemister said. "It's really a pro atmosphere. That's part of the reason why I chose Pitt. Not only is it a prestigious school and a historical school. I mean, we're here by the Steelers. There's a pro atmosphere going on, especially being in the city. I think there's a level of maturity you have to have being here, and I really look at it as a prequel to where I want to be."
MAKING A RETURN
Tight end Kyi Wright is back after offseason shoulder surgery.
The redshirt junior missed the team's final nine games last year, but he said Monday he's healed up and ready to play. Wright figures to have a role as a primary blocker at his position, with Gavin Bartholomew serving as the team's top pass-catching tight end.
"I feel really good," Wright said. "Coming off shoulder surgery was a long process, but I feel good, and I'm ready to go this year. ... I think this is the most depth that we've had at tight [end] since I've been here. Working with them every day is going great, and whoever plays at the end of the day, they'd be a great addition to the team."
WHEN I SEE U
Who runs the Pitt on-field workout playlist is still to be revealed, but defensive players were especially turned up during the practice's stretching period as the song "When I See U" by "American Idol" Season 3 winner Fantasia blasted on the speakers. The song was released in 2006 which is when players were still in elementary school.
Defensive end John Morgan III clearly knew the lyrics and was dancing to the beat during his stretches. Linebacker Buddy Mack III was encouraging other teammates to sing along.