Syracuse’s Durell Eskridge will not play in the Texas Bowl against Minnesota on Dec. 27, the safety announced Tuesday on Twitter.

“@mdzbills1980: @Deskridge_d3 you aren't playing in the bowl game I take it. Right?” Yeah

— Durell Eskridge (@Deskridge_d3) December 17, 2013

Eskridge led the Orange with 78 tackles this season — 52 solo and 26 assisted — and four interceptions. The sophomore also lined up at wide receiver during the final two weeks of the season and caught his first pass during SU’s 34-31 win against Boston College in the regular-season finale on Nov. 30.

Syracuse will also be without senior cornerback Keon Lyn, who tore his ACL during Syracuse’s loss to Clemson in October. Lyn has remained optimistic through his recovery process that he would play one more game for the Orange, but Shafer said during a press conference Tuesday that the cornerback “is not playing.”

“I don’t know what Keon is doing, but God love him,” Shafer said. “He’s getting healthy and stuff, but he won’t be playing.”

A third question mark in SU’s secondary remains just that — Julian Whigham is doubtful for the Texas Bowl. The cornerback suffered a lung contusion against Florida State in November and is improving, Shafer said, but his status is still up in the air for the postseason.

Shafer said Syracuse will send out an official injury report toward the end of the week.

“Julian is doing a lot better, we’re just going to take good care of him and make sure he’s healthy,” Shafer said. “I don’t want to rush into anything. But he’s doing better. His spirits are up. He’s getting healthier. It’s probably doubtful he’ll play, but he’s doing well.”

Published on December 17, 2013 at 6:39 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2