DTs Alex Miller, Ben Oxley out against Duke

Northwestern released its Week 2 depth chart for this Saturday’s game against Duke, and there are two inclusions: defensive tackles Alex Miller and Ben Oxley, both of whom are out against the Blue Devils after sustaining injuries against Purdue in the season-opener.

Miller is a starter at defensive tackle, while Oxley is a backup. Fred Wyatt is listed as a backup on the two-deep, so it would make sense for him to start in Miller’s place. Trevor Kent, who played well against Purdue, should also get snaps. It remains unclear how much time Miller and Oxley will miss.

Without two of its top four defensive tackles, Northwestern will be thin in the middle of the defensive line against a Duke team that rushed for 184 yards in its opener. There could be some smaller lineups with Joe Gaziano bumped inside to tackle, especially on passing downs.

Notably, Clayton Thorson, a member of the Week 1 injury report, was not listed this week, though head Pat Fitzgerald didn’t clarify the quarterback situation between Thorson and backup TJ Green.