Jaydn Ott injury update: Cal RB's status revealed vs. Pitt

Cal will be without star running back Jaydn Ott on Saturday against Pitt, according to ESPN insider Pete Thamel.

The news was revealed by Thamel Saturday afternoon on Twitter.

“Sources: Star Cal RB Jaydn Ott will not play at No. 22 Pitt today. He re-aggravated a lower-body injury against Miami that he’s been dealing with the entire season,” Thamel posted. “Going into the Miami game he was considered 100-percent for the first time this year. He traveled but didn’t dress.”

Jaydn Ott was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2023 after rushing for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns. He considered turning pro but opted to return for the 2024 season.

Unfortunately he has been hurt for most of this year. He played in three games at less than 100 percent and was finally healthy against Miami but will now be unable to go against Pitt.

Jaydn Ott has 47 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns this season.

In addition to Jaydn Ott, Pete Thamel also revealed that Cal EDGE Ryan McCulloch will miss the game for Bears against Pitt.

McCulloch has 7 tackles and 4 quarterback hurries on the season. Thamel described him as Cal’s best pass rusher.

Last season, McCulloch played in 12 games. He had 9 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.

Greg McElroy makes pick for Cal vs. Pitt

Cal was oh-so-close to getting a big win over an undefeated team last weekend, before falling just short and dropping a heartbreaker to Miami. McElroy expects the Bears to rebound and find a way to knock off an undefeated Pitt team this weekend.

Despite having to travel across the country following a tough defeat, McElroy predicts that the Bears will take care of business.

“This is a long way to travel when taking into account you had your heart ripped out just a couple days ago,” McElroy said. “Now Pitt, they’ve won three Power 4 games by a combined 15 points. So it’s been really narrow margins. … Eli Holstein is throwing into traffic a lot. A lot. But there’s not a lot of picks. He’s been a little careless and needs to be a lot smarter against a Cal defense that is a little bit boom or bust but they can turn you over.

“I think Cal bounces back, forces a couple of interceptions, and as a result pulls off a bit of a stunner against the Pitt Panthers in disrupting their undefeated season.”