Louisville came into its ACC opener in Week 5 at Pitt with big question marks in the backfield. Both Isaac Brown and Duke Watson were able to go after being limited in practice all week, but now the Cardinals will likely be without Watson for the remainder of the game after the sophomore running back suffered an ankle injury and had to be carried off the field.
With 7:43 remaining in the first half, Watson was brought down after a one-yard run and appeared to injure his ankle. He stayed down on the field for a few minutes before being helped to the sidelines, and all early reports appear to indicate that he will not be able to return.
Louisville RB Duke Watson being carried off the field.
— Preston Harvey (@Pharveytv) September 27, 2025
Watson has carried the ball just nine times this season, with a season-high seven carries coming in the Week 2 win over James Madison on September 5. Watson has turned those nine attempts into only 13 yards and had not played since that game. In the first half of Saturday, Watson managed just 11 yards on six carries.
Isaac Brown, who was Louisville’s leading rusher as a freshman last season, has played in all three games this season, but has been limited in each. He carried the ball just once against Bowling Green before Louisville’s Week 4 bye, and only gained four yards on his first five carries against Pitt Saturday.
With Brown limited and Watson out in Week 3, freshman running back Braxton Jennings impressed with 43 yards and a touchdown on six attempts. Sophomore Keyjuan Brown led the team in rushing with 84 yards and two scores in the game. Brown is out for this game with an injury and is not an option to replace Watson’s production.
Brohm could be forced to lean heavily on Jennings in the second half. After a slow start from Miller Moss and a pick-six, Louisville responded with 17 unanswered points to even the score in the second quarter.
Duke Watson latest injury update:
Watson was helped off the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh in the first half of Louisville’s Week 5 matchup with Pitt. He is not expected to return.
UPDATE: Duke Watson returned to the field in the second half after suffering a right ankle injury.