Duke head coach Manny Diaz announced that middle linebacker will miss the rest of the 2025 season after suffering a leg injury in Saturday’s 45-33 victory over N.C. State at Wallace Wade Stadium. The injury occurred late in the first quarter, and after being treated by medical staff, Morris was carted off the field.
Diaz expressed how difficult the loss was for both the team and top player, calling it “heartbreaking.” The graduate student from Fairfield, Connecticut, had already endured a lost 2024 season after tearing his ACL against Elon. He worked his way back to full strength and had reclaimed his role as one of Duke’s defensive leaders.
“I’m gutted for Nick,” Diaz said. “As a person, because of what he went through last year. And as a player, because he’s one of the best defenders we have and was performing at an incredibly high level.”
Though sidelined, Diaz said Morris will remain involved with the program through practices, pregame preparations, and by supporting teammates on the sideline. “Nick’s going to come back, and Nick’s going to finish on top,” Diaz added.
In Morris’ absence, redshirt sophomore Luke Mergott stepped in and played every defensive snap against the Wolfpack. He made six solo tackles and provided a crucial quarterback hurry that led to Tre Freeman’s 67-yard interception return. Freshman linebackers Elliott Schaper and Bradley Gompers may also see increased playing time moving forward.
Duke (2-2, 1-0 ACC) now turns its attention to Syracuse (3-1, 1-0), which will be without its starting quarterback. Steve Angeli, the ACC’s passing leader, left Saturday’s win over Clemson with an injury and is expected to miss several weeks, according to Orange head coach Fran Brown.