Elzy out 6 weeks for Tar Heels

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina fullback Anthony Elzy (above) fractured his shoulder blade during Saturday’s loss at Virginia and is sidelined for at least six weeks, coach Butch Davis said Monday.

He is the third offensive starter the Tar Heels have lost for significant time, joining quarterback T.J. Yates (broken ankle, out for at least two more weeks) and wide receiver Brandon Tate (torn knee ligaments, out for the season).

Junior Bobby Rome will take over for Elzy, a sophomore, at fullback.
Against the Cavaliers, junior Melvin Williams stepped into Elzy’s special teams role.

“Every time we’ve lost somebody, it’s become an issue, because somebody else now has to step up,’’ coach Butch Davis said.

Elzy had caught seven passes for 86 yards this season -- including two receptions for 25 yards against the Cavaliers. He played tailback as a freshman in 2007, recording 350 yards and five touchdowns.

In other injury news, linebacker Bruce Carter has a sprained right ankle, “but the expectations are he should be fine,” Davis said.

Carter, who has five special teams blocks this season, finished the game.

-- Robbi Pickeral