The Louisville Cardinals could be facing a significant question at quarterback when they travel to face the NC State Wolfpack in Week 5. Starting quarterback Lincoln Kienholz remains uncertain to play after suffering a lower-body injury during Louisville’s most recent game, and his availability may not be determined until just before kickoff.
According to reporting from On3 Sports’ Brett McMurphy and Pete Nakos, Kienholz is still considered a game-time decision for Saturday’s matchup. Louisville is expected to evaluate the quarterback during pregame warmups before head coach Jeff Brohm and his staff make a final determination on whether he is healthy enough to take the field.
That means Cardinals fans could be waiting until shortly before the game begins to find out who will take the first offensive snap.
Kienholz has been dealing with an undisclosed injury involving his left leg. The issue occurred during Louisville’s Week 4 contest against Wake Forest, a game the Cardinals ultimately lost 30-27.
Despite the injury occurring late in the contest, Kienholz continued to produce at a high level throughout the game. The redshirt junior completed 75% of his passing attempts and finished with 324 passing yards. He also accounted for three touchdowns, including one through the air and two on the ground.
His performance demonstrated how important he has become to Louisville’s offense, making his uncertain status even more significant heading into the NC State matchup.
Injury Happened Late Against Wake Forest
Kienholz appeared to suffer the injury during Louisville’s final offensive possession against Wake Forest. After taking a hard hit, the quarterback appeared to land awkwardly, with the incident raising immediate concerns about his left leg.
Although the Cardinals were unable to complete their comeback attempt, Kienholz’s individual performance was one of the brighter aspects of the game.
He threw for more than 300 yards while contributing three touchdowns and completing three-quarters of his attempts. His ability to create plays both as a passer and runner has given Louisville another dimension offensively.
However, the injury now leaves the Cardinals facing uncertainty at the most important position on the field.
Louisville has not announced that Kienholz will be ruled out, and the latest reports indicate that the coaching staff intends to give him every opportunity to demonstrate that he can play. Rather than making an early decision, the Cardinals are expected to assess his condition during warmups.
The final determination could therefore come only minutes before the scheduled 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff.
Backup Quarterback Plans Remain Unclear
If Kienholz is unable to play, Louisville will need to turn to another quarterback.
According to the latest reporting, Davin Wydner and Briggs Cherry are the two players who could potentially receive the starting assignment if Kienholz is unavailable.
Brohm, however, had not made a final decision regarding which quarterback would take over before the game. That uncertainty adds another layer of intrigue to Louisville’s preparation for NC State.
A late change at quarterback can affect much more than the passing game. The Cardinals would potentially have to adjust their offensive approach, play-calling and overall game plan depending on which backup ultimately receives the starting nod.
The coaching staff will therefore have to balance Kienholz’s importance to the offense with the need to avoid putting an injured player in a situation that could worsen his condition.
Kienholz Has Given Louisville a Dual-Threat Option
One reason Kienholz’s status is so important is his ability to contribute in multiple ways.
Against Wake Forest, he showed that he could hurt a defense with both his arm and his legs. His three-touchdown performance included two rushing scores, demonstrating his value as a quarterback who can make plays outside the traditional passing game.
His 324 passing yards also showed that Louisville does not have to rely solely on his rushing ability. When given opportunities through the air, Kienholz has demonstrated the ability to move the football and generate explosive plays.
Replacing that production at short notice would be a significant challenge.
If he is cleared to play, Louisville would likely prefer to have its starting quarterback available for the entire matchup rather than entering the game without knowing how much the injury might affect his mobility.
At the same time, the Cardinals have to be prepared for the possibility that Kienholz cannot go.
Louisville Looking to Respond After Wake Forest Loss
The uncertainty surrounding Kienholz comes as Louisville attempts to bounce back from its disappointing Week 4 result.
The Cardinals fell 30-27 to Wake Forest, despite Kienholz putting together an impressive statistical performance. The narrow defeat leaves Louisville looking for a response against NC State.
A win would provide an opportunity for the Cardinals to regain momentum, but the quarterback situation could have a major impact on how the game develops.
If Kienholz is healthy enough to play, Louisville would retain the player who has already demonstrated the ability to produce both through the air and on the ground.
If he is sidelined, however, Wydner or Cherry would have the difficult task of stepping into the starting role with limited preparation time.
That could place additional pressure on Louisville’s offensive line, running game and defense to help ease the burden on the replacement quarterback.
Pregame Warmups Will Be Crucial
For now, Louisville has little choice but to wait.
The latest reporting indicates that Kienholz’s status will be evaluated during pregame warmups. That means the quarterback could potentially participate in drills before the coaching staff determines whether he is ready to handle the physical demands of the game.
Pregame observations can be particularly important when dealing with a lower-body injury. The coaching staff will need to determine whether Kienholz can move comfortably enough to operate the offense, escape pressure and potentially run the football when necessary.
The fact that Louisville has not ruled him out suggests that the team is still considering the possibility of him playing. However, there is also no guarantee that he will receive clearance.
Until the final decision is made, both Louisville and NC State will have to prepare for multiple possibilities.
NC State Could Face an Uncertain Louisville Offense
From NC State’s perspective, the quarterback uncertainty creates an additional challenge during final preparations.
Defensive game plans are often built around the tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of the expected starting quarterback. If Louisville does not make its decision until shortly before kickoff, NC State may have to be prepared for different offensive scenarios.
Kienholz presents a different challenge because of his experience and dual-threat ability. A backup quarterback could potentially lead Louisville toward a different offensive approach.
That makes the pregame decision important not only for Louisville but also for the Wolfpack.
The Cardinals will need to determine whether Kienholz can give them enough mobility and effectiveness to justify playing him, while NC State must be ready for whichever quarterback ultimately takes the field.
Final Decision Could Come Just Before Kickoff
Louisville’s matchup with NC State is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, and the Cardinals may not reveal their starting quarterback until shortly before the game.
For now, Kienholz remains in the uncertain category as Louisville continues to monitor his left-leg injury.
His performance against Wake Forest demonstrated the type of production Louisville can receive when he is healthy. He finished that game with 324 passing yards, three total touchdowns and a 75% completion rate despite the Cardinals falling by three points.
Whether he can build on that performance against NC State will depend on how he looks during warmups.
If he is cleared, Kienholz will have another opportunity to lead Louisville as the Cardinals attempt to respond to their Week 4 defeat. If he cannot play, the responsibility could shift to either Davin Wydner or Briggs Cherry.
Until Louisville completes its pregame evaluation, however, there is no definitive answer.
The Cardinals, their coaching staff and their fans will have to wait until warmups for the final word on Kienholz’s availability.