Chazz Surratt reported to be out for season due to wrist injury

Chazz Surratt jogged across the field, sideline to sideline, early Tuesday evening. 

He kept the pace, working long after the rest of his teammates had retired to the locker room. Back and forth he went, each step pushing him farther away from his rocky first game of the season nearly two weeks ago.  

As the North Carolina football team prepares to take on Virginia Tech under the Saturday night lights this weekend, the squad is working to erase the blowout game against Miami a few weeks ago, the game that was supposed to be Surratt’s big opening night. 

After a four-game suspension, Surratt came off the bench during the Thursday night game, anticipation and eagerness flowing through him. It had been a long time since he had played against a live defense and the lack of reps was noticeable. Three interceptions – two of which were pick sixes – and two sacks finished off Surratt’s shaky night. 

But that's not who he is. 

Unfortunately, Tar Heel fans will not get to see who Surratt is for the rest of the season. On Wednesday, Tar Heel Illustrated first reported Surratt will miss the remainder of the 2018 campaign with a wrist injury.

According to Tar Heel Illustrated, the redshirt sophomore quarterback tore ligaments in his right wrist while attempting a tackle during the fourth quarter against Miami on Sept. 27 following his third interception of the night.

The injury, one he previously suffered last year, will require surgery. According to the report, Surratt will undergo surgery next Wednesday.

“You just gotta go through your reads and progressions and make good decisions,” offensive coordinator Chris Kapilovic said after practice on Tuesday. “He hasn’t played ball in a long time so obviously, you gotta knock the rust off and keep working.”

The focus for the UNC football team — especially for the quarterbacks — is running rep after rep to rub off the rust. Despite a rough game, Surratt's demeanor and focus remains the same; he needs to bounce back. 

“He competes, practices hard, wants to do good, and cares about his teammates so obviously, it was hard (to see how he played),” Kapilovic said. “You gotta man up, show up the next day, keep working and keep improving. He’s working hard. He’s understanding what he’s seeing. He’s giving a lot of effort.”

Despite a wavering passing game that rocked his confidence, Surratt’s teammates were ready to welcome the redshirt sophomore back with open arms. 

His presence alone boosts the team’s morale.

“Having him back is definitely a great experience," wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams said. "We’re back with a full team, and that’s all you can ask for — to have all of your guys back at once.”

Surratt’s teammates say his energy and charisma bring a different light to the team, no matter if he’s on or off the field. 

“He knows what to do and how to do it,” sophomore tailback Michael Carter said. “For him to be able to do what he does at such a young age is amazing to me.” 

According to Carter, a quarterback must be a leader and communicator, knowing what to do and how to react if someone in the line messes up. After all, they’re human, too. For the Tar Heels, Surratt brings all of that and more to the table. 

“Chazz is going to do what he do, and he’s really not going to yell at you much,” Ratliff-Williams said. “Chazz is more of a ‘watch me work’ type of guy.”

Surratt didn't provide his typical game for the Tar Heels against the Hurricanes. Maybe it was the pressure that got to the young quarterback’s head leading up to the game. Throughout the beginning of the season, anticipation was building as Surratt kept his eyes locked on that date – his season opener. In his case, that eagerness only seemed to backfire.

“You put so much pressure on yourself, and that’s all he can think about,” Kapilovic said. “Sometimes guys force things and push things because you are so geeked up about that performance. 

"When you’re a quarterback, it’s about letting the game come to you, make good decisions, check downs, throw away all those little things you gotta do. That’s OK. We don’t have to make the big play every time.” 

For Surratt, it’s back to the drawing board, putting the game and injury behind him and focusing on the next step, the next rep, the next game — even if that means waiting for the 2019 season.

@mwc13_3

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com