Pitt LBs Rasheem Biles, Nick Lapi out vs. N.C. State; Kyle Louis a game-time decision

Pitt will be without a pillar of its defense Saturday vs. N.C. State for the second straight week, as linebacker Rasheem Biles was listed as out on the final weekly ACC student-athlete availability report.

Released at 1:30 p.m., two hours before the Panthers (5-2, 3-1 ACC) take on the Wolfpack (4-3, 1-2) at Acrisure Stadium, the report saw Biles downgraded from questionable on reports issued Thursday and Friday.

Fellow linebacker Nick Lapi is also out, while All-American Kyle Louis, along with defensive end Blaine Spires, are game-time decisions.

Lapi’s absence is a further blow to Pitt’s linebacker corps, as he was pressed into service at Syracuse, a game in which Biles didn’t play and Louis left early with an injury.

Playing alongside Braylan Lovelace and Cameron Lindsey, Lapi tied Lindsey for the team lead in tackles with seven (two for loss).

Biles leads Pitt in tackles (53), tackles for loss (8.5) and has two sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown and two passes defended in six games played.

Louis has posted 42 tackles (5.5 for loss), along with two sacks and a pick.

Also out Saturday is left tackle Jeff Persi, who will miss his third straight game. Tailback Desmond Reid, whom coach Pat Narduzzi described as not being at 100% health vs. Syracuse, did not carry any injury designation this week.