Josh Downs not warming up for UNC ahead of Appalachian State matchup

North Carolina may be without its star wide receiver for Saturday’s game at Appalachian State. After being pulled out of Week 0’s game vs. Florida A&M, UNC wideout Josh Downs is apparently in street clothes and is not participating in warmups for the App State game, which kicks of at noon ET.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel tweeted the report Saturday morning:

“Big development from Boone. Star North Carolina WR Josh Downs is in street clothes and not warming up. He’s had a lower body injury that’s not considered serious. He had 1,335 receiving yards last year and caught nine passes for 78 yards in Week 0.”

Have to think Downs is likely out for the game. Not good news for North Carolina, who is facing a good mid-major team on the road with a quarterback starting just his second career game.

His potential absence comes as a surprise, though he was pulled out of the Florida A&M game last week. Here was that report, where Coach Brown didn’t seem to suggest any injury issues with Downs

Mack Brown explains why Josh Downs was taken out against Florida A&M

The nature of the 56-24 win vs. Florida A&M allowed several Tar Heel players to clock out early from the game. One of those players was star wide receiver Josh Downs, who left when the fourth quarter began.

Mack Brown was asked after the game the reason behind Downs’ early exit from the victory. His response was short and simple based on the production Downs had in North Carolina’s first game.

“I had enough. I said, ‘Get him out!’” said Brown.

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Downs led the Tar Heel receiving core with nine catches for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even with Downs and other UNC players taking off in the final frame, though, it was the Tar Heel’s most productive quarter with a game-high 21 points. Brown says a lot of that should be credited to the players who finally got to come in and that he was happy some of North Carolina’s depth got to have an opportunity.