Kaimon Rucker injury update: Mack Brown shares the latest on UNC EDGE, others

For the third straight season, North Carolina has started off the year 2-0, defeating Charlotte 38-20 in their home opener this weekend following their Week 1 thriller against Minnesota to kick off the 2024 season.

One of the unfortunate storylines for the Tar Heels in Week 1 was starting quarterback Max Johnson suffering a season-ending leg injury. And this Saturday several other North Carolina players went down with injuries against Charlotte, including names like running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Bryson Nesbit.

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But after the game, head coach Mack Brown gave a positive update on his players that went down on Saturday when asked about the status of Nesbit. Who did not return in the second half after exiting the game with an injury in the first half.

“Yeah, it’s upper body, and he should be fine,” Brown said regarding Nesbit. “All those guys would have a chance, I would think, to play next week. But if not (next week), within two. Nobody is in danger of not playing the rest of the year.”

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Hampton was able to return in the second half, but did not after rushing for 77 yards on 11 carries. Held back by Brown in order to keep him safe moving forward. With Nesbit catching three passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in the first half before being ruled out. Also becoming North Carolina’s all-time leader at the tight end position for touchdown catches with 11.

Prior to Saturday’s game against Charlotte, North Carolina EDGE Kaimon Rucker was ruled out of for a lower-body injury suffered during a workout in the weight room. A surprising injury that will require surgery for one of the team’s most impactful defensive players.

“Kaimon is probably a couple of weeks, maybe three, but he’s gonna be fine,” Brown said. “And Kaimon’s out there singing and jumping up and down, screaming and leading, and he’s just the best. He led the fight song in the locker room after the game.”

It sounds like Rucker is in good spirits despite his injury, and hopefully for the Tar Heels, he returns sooner rather than later this season. As North Carolina’s conference schedule is just a few weeks away following home matchups with NC Central this weekend followed by James Madison.