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Key Tulane Player Ruled Out Ahead of Saturday's Season Opener
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- Key Tulane Player Ruled Out Ahead of Saturday's Season Opener
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Tulane Green Wave is set to be down a key offensive player as it prepares to face the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Jamauri McClure has officially been ruled out of the contest. This news was somewhat expected, but it's still a tough blow to start the season. The star running back suffered a foot injury during the preseason, and though he's had some time to rehab it, he's certainly not ready to compete.
McClure was a major impact player in the second half of the 2025 season, ultimately finishing the year with 540 yards and two touchdowns on 83 carries. The redshirt sophomore amassed more than 80 yards in four of the team's last five games, and he eclipsed the 100-yard mark twice in that stretch. McClure was expected to make a major impact this season, even being recognized as a First Team Preseason All-Conference selection by Athlon Sports and a Second Team Preseason All-Conference pick by the Pro Football Network. Now, he'll have to wait just a bit longer to begin making an impact.
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Just because Tulane is down a standout running back does not mean that the team's rushing attack will be useless. The Green Wave will be led by dual-threat quarterback Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, and the signal-caller is noted for his strength on the ground.
Additionally, the team boasts an incredibly loaded running backs room. Maurice Turner was expected to be the biggest playmaker on the team in 2025, but after suffering an injury early in the season, he received limited opportunities to make an impact as he worked his way back onto the field. This year, the Louisville Cardinals transfer is hoping to finally make the mark that he expected to make last year.
The team also picked up a pair of strong offseason additions in former Mississippi State Bulldog Johnnie Daniels and Florida State Seminoles transfer Jaylin Lucas. Both bring some solid Power Four experience to Uptown and could each make an early impact, though Lucas might ultimately show out more as a return specialist.
At this point, it seems like rushers are going to rotate in and out fairly often -- maybe even more frequently than they would have if McClure was playing. It will be a great opportunity to see what each athlete is truly made of.
Tulane will get its 2026 season started as it faces Duke on September 5th. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.
