Injury report: Virginia anticipates return of safety Clary

By Jerry Ratcliffe

One of Virginia’s defensive leaders, strong safety Antonio Clary, was back at practice on Tuesday and is expected to play against North Carolina on Saturday (see related story about the Tar Heels on this site).

“We’re very hopeful he’ll be back this week,” said Coach Tony Elliott at his weekly press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Clary has led the team in tackles most of the season, but has dropped to No. 2 on the unit behind leading tackler Jonas Sanker, who has posted 57. Clary has 48 after missing last Saturday’s game at Clemson.

Elliott also reported that cornerback Dre Walker also practiced Tuesday, and the coach is hopeful he will be ready to play against UNC. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Mike Diatta and starting corner Kempton Shine, both banged up at Clemson, also practiced and should be good to go against the Heels.

Freshman wide receiver Kam Courtney also practiced, but as Elliott said, “he’s probably a little bit further away than maybe Clary and Walker.”

Running back Jack Griese is still out, as is wide receiver Trell Harris, who Elliott estimates will be out for about three more weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a chip in his knee.

Starting right guard Ty Furnish isn’t anticipated to be back from his ankle injury for Wednesday’s practice, so his status is up in the air, while linebacker James Jackson “is still nursing a foot injury,” according to Elliott, and will be a game-time or possibly a week-to-week situation.