Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is set to miss an extended period of time with a left toe injury sustained late in a game against Louisville, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Freshman Grayson Loftis will get the starting nod on Thursday against Wake Forest in Leonard's absence. Duke's other backup signal-caller, Henry Belin, continues to deal with an upper-body injury that's expected to limit him on Thursday.
A definitive timetable on Leonard's injury has yet to be determined, Thamel reports. It remains uncertain if the junior passer will return to the field this year.
Leonard led the Blue Devils to a hot start to begin his 2023 campaign. The program stunned perennial ACC title contender Clemson in a season-opening victory. The Alabama native has thrown for 1,102 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions this season. He's racked up the third-highest rushing yardage on the team (352 yards) to go along with four scores on the ground.
The toe injury is different from the high ankle sprain that he suffered in a game against Notre Dame and caused him to miss a contest against NC State earlier this season. Leonard reportedly re-aggravated his ailing ankle against Florida State two weeks ago prior to hurting his toe on the opposite foot.
Duke (5-3) will attempt to secure bowl eligibility for the second straight season without Leonard under center.
