The Clemson Insider

UNC Gets Bad News Ahead of Clemson Game

By: Will Vandervort September 19, 2026

CLEMSON — The North Carolina Tar Heels got some bad news Saturday morning just ahead of its game with Clemson, which kicks off at noon.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Saturday morning that the Tar Heels will be without star defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude. According to the report, he is dealing with a hand/wrist injury.

Abou Jaoude, who has been listed as questionable all week, has four tackles overall, including three unassisted tackles.

Sources: North Carolina is expected to be without star defender Melkart Abou Jaoude today at Clemson. He’s dealing with a hand/wrist injury from the TCU game and had been listed as questionable. He led the ACC in sacks per game last year and is UNC’s top defender. pic.twitter.com/uOIxafjmL3

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 19, 2026

The Tar Heels (2-0) will also be without freshman wideout CJ Sadler, who was arrested after a traffic stop this past Tuesday in Chapel Hill. UNC also listed him out for their game at Clemson on the ACC’s availability report on Wednesday night.

The freshman caught three passes for 66 yards in last week’s win over East Tennessee State. He currently ranks fourth on the team with four receptions for 73 yards.

Sadler was listed on the Tar Heels’ two-deep earlier this week.