South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez and wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett will not play in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl against Western Michigan on Saturday night, a source told AL.com.

Lopez — who announced Thursday he would return to the Jaguars in 2025 rather than enter the NCAA transfer portal — has been struggling with turf toe since the first game of the season and has been limited in practice all week. Bishop Davenport, a sophomore, will start in Lopez’s place for the second time this season.

Davenport filled in for the injured Lopez during a Week 2 loss at Ohio, completing 23 of 37 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown. He played in nine games this season, including appearing twice when Lopez was sidelined due to injury, and completed 33 of 55 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.

Pritchett, selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference first team this season, has decided to opt out of the bowl game to prepare for a professional football career. The senior from Jackson leads the Sun Belt in receptions (91), receiving yards (1,127) and touchdown catches (9), making the reception and touchdown numbers tied for the first time in school history.

With Pritchett out, the Jaguars will rely more heavily on senior Jeremiah Webb (31 receptions, 3 TDs), junior Devin Voisin (30 receptions) and tight end DJ Thomas-Jones (22 receptions, 3 TDs) in the passing game. Senior Shamar Sandgren and freshman Anthony Eager will also likely take on larger roles.

South Alabama is already without running back Fluff Bothwell, who led the team with 832 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season before entering the NCAA transfer portal last weekend. Junior Kentrel Bullock (701 yards, 6 TDs) has had splits with Bothwell all year but is expected to get the bulk of the carries in the bowl game.

Additionally, starter Husky (nickel), safety Jordan Scruggs and kicker Laith Marjan are also in the portal and ineligible to play in Saturday’s bowl game. Rickey Hyatt will step in for the Husky, and freshman Davis Little is expected to take over the kicking duties.

South Alabama (6-6) will face Western Michigan (6-6) in the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery at 8 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.