DURHAM – Duke coach David Cutcliffe opened his weekly Tuesday media session announcing center Jack Wohlabaugh underwent ankle surgery earlier in the day. That’s news since Wohlabaugh is a second-year starting center.
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But it also was noteworthy Duke announced the injury four days prior to Syracuse (3-6, 0-5 ACC Atlantic) facing the Blue Devils (4-5, 2-3 ACC Coastal) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium..
The trend in college football has been for coaches to turn paranoid and not to reveal injuries until game day – if at all. The ACC formerly announced injury reports during the week, but that changed this year when
Cutcliffe was among coaches outvoted by colleagues that prefer secrecy.
“We do not have a conference policy on injuries,” Cutcliffe said. “You ask me all the time about injuries. I don’t like that we don’t have a policy. In fairness to everyone – team to team or to the media – I was for was what we did before. I don’t think the coaches should vote on it.
“This is bigger than the coaches. I’m telling you (about Wohlabugh) because I think it’s fair and right. I believe in doing the right thing.”
Wohlabaugh is 6-foot-5, 305-pound redshirt junior that transferred from Ohio State. After sitting out the 2017 season, he broke into the starting lineup last year at center. He was on the Rimington Award watch list as a returning starter.
Cutcliffe said Wohlabaugh had been playing hurt, but after he had his ankle rolled up in Saturday’s 38-7 loss to Notre Dame, teams doctors recommended surgery that was performed by Dr. Ned Amendolia.
“I think we had to sedate him to get him to agree to the surgery,” Cutcliffe said. “ He’s an incredible young man. I told him I’m thankful you every day ‘you became a part of this program.’ It’s been emotional.”
Cutcliffe said redshirt sophomore Will Taylor will replace Wohlabaugh.
