Roberts Gets Rare Start

Just a few more players were added to Pitt's walking wounded list for the annual Blue-Gold Game Saturday at Heinz Field.

Along with the handful of Pittsburgh players out the entire spring, fullback Joe Capp (right knee, thumb), tight end Hubie Graham (illness), linebacker Jon Taglianetti (back) and outside linebacker Greg Williams (left ankle) did not play.

With an open spot at weak-side linebacker due to Williams' absence, redshirt junior Tristan Roberts started for the Gold (first) Team.

"Tristan Roberts has had a very good spring,'' Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He's healthy now, and he's pushing for playing time.''

Roberts suffered a left shoulder separation early in camp last August and was not healthy until the end of the season. He rehabilitated the shoulder throughout January and February as well and was ready for the spring.

"Yeah, that was tough last season,'' Roberts said. "I thought I could get some playing time last season, but that injury really set me back. It took all year for me to recover from that, and it wasn't even that great at the end of last season. There was a lot of damage in there, but it's strong now.

"And I'm ready to have a breakout season. I don't know if I'll play more than just on special teams, but anything is better than last season when I couldn't play at all from the very beginning. So, this is great. I'm so excited for the summer workouts, camp and then the regular season.''

Along with the aforementioned players, those who missed the spring game included safety Dom DeCicco (right foot), cornerback Ricky Gary (right shoulder), safety Jason Hendricks (right shoulder), defensive end Jabaal Sheard (right wrist), safety Andrew Taglianetti (left knee), wideout Ed Tinker (left wrist) and cornerback Aundre Wright (left knee surgery).

Greg Williams, DeCicco and Sheard are expected to be starters at their respective positions this fall.