The Louisville football team is in a dire spot to start out the year. They have to replace a lot on the offensive side of the ball. A new starting quarterback, a new starting running back, and a new leading receiver will be on the team. They now have to replace one of the guys they thought was going to be a leading receiver.
Caullin Lacy broke his collarbone in the final scrimmage of the season. Because of that, he will now be out for six to eight weeks. It's a big blow to a Louisville Cardinals team that needs experience at receiver. So how will they replace the production that he was going to give them?
Without Lacy, the Cardinals will rely on another transfer receiver. Ja'Corey Brooks is someone who was seldom used at Alabama but is looking for a bigger role with the Cardinals. He is going to get a lot more targets in the first few weeks with Lacy out.
How the Louisville football team will replace Caullin Lacy
Other than Brooks, the Cardinals will rely on Chris Bell. Bell took a step last season and was a bigger part of the passing game. He caught 26 passes for 386 yards and two touchdowns. He could slide up to the number-two receiver role now that Lacy is out. Louisville needs them to step up.
The running game was already going to be the focal point of this team early. It now becomes even more critical because they don't have as many reliable receivers. They'll need Donald Chaney to make sure he's ready to be a number-one running back as soon as the season starts.
How well Tyler Shough is able to start will determine a lot of how this team navigates the few weeks they'll be without Lacy. He's the leader of this team and he needs to play like it.