Syracuse football will be without quarterback Amari Odom for the remainder of the 2026 season following shoulder surgery, head coach Fran Brown announced Thursday during his weekly radio show.
Brown also confirmed that quarterback Malachi Nelson will miss several weeks after undergoing tightrope surgery to address a high-ankle sprain.
Odom transferred to Syracuse from Kennesaw State and began the season as the team’s backup quarterback behind Steve Angeli.
He first saw significant action against Pittsburgh after replacing Angeli, then started Syracuse’s 42-41 victory over Connecticut on October 3.
Across three appearances, Odom completed 77.1% of his passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns.
Nelson, who opened the season third on the depth chart, started Syracuse’s previous two games against Virginia and Louisville.
He exited both losses during the fourth quarter because of injuries.
In those two starts, Nelson threw for 532 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 60% of his passes.
The injuries leave Syracuse with Angeli and Danny Lauter as its primary available options under center.
Angeli started the Orange’s first three games before suffering an Achilles injury against Pittsburgh on September 17.
Although previously listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, Brown indicated that Angeli is expected to return to the starting lineup against North Carolina.
Lauter, a Georgetown transfer who began the season fourth on Syracuse’s quarterback depth chart, has appeared in relief during the past two games.
He has completed five of 11 passes for 74 yards this season.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
