UNC quarterback Gio Lopez is expected to start for the Tar Heels at Charlotte, according to ESPN .

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Sept. 6 , ahead of UNC's road game against the 49ers (7 p.m., ESPN+), that Lopez will be back under center after exiting the TCU loss in the third quarter with a back injury.

Following the loss to the Horned Frogs, the Tar Heels took a day off before returning to the practice field. When media members spoke with head coach Bill Belichick during a press conference on Sept. 3, UNC was preparing for its return to practice. He didn't provide clarity on whether the Tar Heels (0-1) would start Lopez or Max Johnson against Charlotte (0-1),

"I talked to Gio this morning. He's doing pretty good," Belichick said Sept. 3. ". ... We'll see how it goes."

Gio Lopez injury up

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