UNC Football: Beau Corrales Injured

Yesterday, Beau Corrales posted a picture on Instagram of himself on the UNC sideline during Carolina’s 48-21 romp over NC State with a caption indicating he was not going to play for the foreseeable future.

I find comfort in adversity by controlling what I can control, and trusting God to handle the things that I can’t. His plan is greater than I can ever begin to understand. Another obstacle in the road ain’t nothin to me, and I am hungrier than ever/ ready to attack rehab so I can get back to doing what I love. Until then, I’m cheering my family on as hard as I can. Love this team! #GodsPlan

Absent an official announcement from the football team, I can only speculate, but based on the tone of the post and the word “rehab” I am not hopeful that his lower body injury is the kind you rest for two weeks and return to play at full speed.

Prior to Saturday’s triumph over the washed up, left-behinds from Raleigh, Beau Corrales had played in every game this season for the Tar Heels. He started the season strong with five catches for 47 yards against Syracuse. He was quiet during wins over Boston College and Virginia Tech as Carolina leaned into their powerful running game, but exploded against Florida State, where he had four catches and a career high 141 yards, and his first touchdown of the season:

It was a bit of a surprise to learn that he wouldn’t play against NC State. Fortunately, the young receivers further down the depth chart were ready to step up to the plate. Sophomore Emery Simmons was the second leading receiver on the night after Dyami Brown and had a career-high five catches for 38 yards. Freshman Josh Downs had one catch, but made it count with a touchdown over busted coverage.

Beau Corrales was the biggest wide receiver in Sam Howell’s quiver and a frequent jump ball target through the last season and a half. Mack Brown likely need tight end Garrett Walston to pick up some of the slack, or he could simply lean into the best rushing attack in college football. Either way, the next three games Virginia, Duke, and Wake Forest are an opportunity to build depth and confidence in the wide receiver corps while Beau recuperates.

A senior this season, Beau Corrales will have the opportunity to reclaim a year of eligibility next season due to COVID-19. A return to Chapel Hill to play with a junior Sam Howell in front of a (hopefully) packed Kenan Stadium is an enticing prospect that should push him through the rigors of rehabilitation.