By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: UVA Athletics

From the sound of things, one would guess that Virginia starting quarterback Chandler Morris will be ready to play in the Cavaliers’ big game at Duke on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Offensive coordinator Des Kitchings said in his weekly media chat on Wednesday that, “We expect to have him out there doing some stuff today.”

Later in the afternoon, UVA star linebacker Kam Robinson also hinted that Morris would be ready to go.

“I think with our quarterback coming back, we’ll have a better chance at winning,” Robinson said.

Wednesday was the unofficial cutoff day for Morris to return to practice after suffering an injury in the loss to Wake Forest last Saturday night.

Tony Elliott said Tuesday that he would be inclined not to play Morris if he wasn’t able to practice by Wednesday because “his position is about timing, so we would need him to get into practice. Is he a veteran guy that’s played enough football that you could say, ‘OK, he could play?’ Yes, but will his precision and his timing be there if he doesn’t practice? So, we’re hopeful that by [Wednesday], we’ll have him back in practice.”

   Navigating: Football

Virginia’s defense braces for best passing attack it has faced this season

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Duke boasts the best passing attack Virginia will face this season, an offense led by redshirt sophomore Darian Mensah.

QB Morris’ playing status up in air for Duke, hopes to practice Wednesday

(updated )

Quarterback Chandler Morris’ playing status for Virginia’s game at Duke on Saturday remains up in the air.