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The University of North Carolina football team appeared to have an advantage in one key area Saturday while looking for its first win at Clemson since 2001.
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A key injury will hinder that advantage.
Tar Heels defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude was ruled out against the Tigers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium, according to the ACC availability report. Abou Jaoude was initially listed as questionable in Friday’s ACC availability report. Abou Jaoude missed UNC’s last game against East Tennessee State University, a 35-3 home-opening win.
Abou Jaoude appeared to suffer his injury in North Carolina’s season-opening win over TCU in Dublin. He briefly left the game with what the ESPN broadcast called a “hand injury,” but returned and even had a sack-fumble as UNC closed out a 15-10 victory. But Abou Jaoude didn’t leave the sideline against ETSU, wasn’t in uniform, and wore a cast/brace on his right hand and arm.
UNC coach Bill Belichick called Abou Jaoude “day to day” when asked about his status after the game. Two days later at the Tar Heels’ media availability on Monday, outside linebackers coach Ty Nichols said “he’s doing great.”
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“He’s involved in everything we’re doing,” Nichols said about Abou Jaoude. “No issues there. Yeah, we’re doing good.”
Abou Jaoude led the Tar Heels with 10.5 sacks in 2025. His injury comes at the time the rest of the defensive line is breaking out, as interior defensive lineman Xavier Lewis has totaled 4.0 sacks so far and defensive lineman Jaylen Harvey joined in with 2.0 sacks against ETSU. The defensive line has been a real strength for the Tar Heels, but Abou Jaoude’s absence would prevent it from being the best version of the unit against a shaky Clemson offensive line in Death Valley.
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This story was originally published September 19, 2026 at 10:21 AM.