The Duke Blue Devils entered the 2026 postseason as one of the clear national title favorites, but their championship hopes took a significant hit with the injury to starting guard Caleb Foster. Now Duke basketball faces uncertainty as Foster’s injury looms and other players are also listed as questionable on the NCAA registration rosters.
Here’s everything to know about the updates to Duke’s injured players and where Caleb Foster stands in the greater context of March Madness.
Caleb Foster’s Injury and the Immediate Impact on Duke
GettyDURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 28: Caleb Foster #1 of the Duke Blue Devils drives the baseline against Johann Grünloh #17 of the Virginia Cavaliers during the second half of the game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
Caleb Foster is being treated for a fractured right now which he suffered during Duke’s regular season finale against arch nemesis rival UNC. The injury immediately raised alarm bells as the junior guard left the court in visible pain and was later seen in an orthopedic walking boot during the second half of the game. The boot only served to confirm fears about the severity of Foster’s injury, which was later disclosed to be a fracture – aka bone break – in his right foot.
Recent updates paint a cautiously hopeful future for Foster in the 2026 March Madness tournament, with his status largely uncertain at this time. He remains sidelined indefinitely following surgery, and while he has not been officially ruled out on NCAA forms submitted by Duke to the governing body of collegiate basketball, a return in the competition seems highly unlikely.
Patrick Ngongba Played Again On Saturday Night
GettyPITTSBURGH, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Caleb Foster #1 of the Duke Blue Devils goes up for a shot against Omari Witherspoon #8 and Nojus Indrusaitis #25 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first half at the Petersen Events Center on February 10, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Patrick Ngongba is another Blue Devils player who was injured coming into the March Madness tournament. Like Caleb Foster, the sophomore starting center was seen wearing an orthopedic walking boot and using a scooter to prop his leg up as he rehabbed his injury. Ngongba made his return to the basketball court on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in the second round of the competition when Duke faced off – and won – against TCU.
That hinges Duke’s injury status entirely on Caleb Foster – and it also wagers their tournament success as the guard is a major player (quite literally) on their roster. Ultimately, though, Foster’s injury is a waiting game while Ngongba seems to be back in active status despite continuing to cope with soreness in his injured foot. Duke must find ways to win without their sidelined team members while holding onto the optimistic possibility of both players making it back onto the court full time – and staying there in healthy condition.
The Blue Devils will face off against St. John’s on Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:10 PM ET / 6:10 PM CT / 4:10 PM PT.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Duke Injury Update Going Into March Madness Sweet 16 appeared first on Heavy Sports.