The Duke Blue Devils are once again expected to be among the top teams in college basketball, and their hopes will depend heavily on a talented roster that combines experienced returners with several intriguing newcomers.
One of the players expected to take another important step forward this season is senior guard Caleb Foster. However, Foster recently received an injury update that briefly raised concerns around the Blue Devils, although there is encouraging news surrounding his availability for the start of the season.
According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Foster is dealing with an ankle injury. While the setback is certainly something Duke will monitor closely during the preseason, head coach Jon Scheyer indicated that the injury is not expected to prevent Foster from playing in the team’s season opener.
That would be a major positive for Duke, with the Blue Devils scheduled to open their season against Army on Nov. 2.
Foster has steadily developed throughout his Duke career and enters his senior season as one of the team’s most experienced guards. After initially contributing as part of the second unit, he earned a starting role last season and became an increasingly important piece of Scheyer’s rotation.
The former Oak Hill Academy standout appeared in 33 games during the 2025-26 season, making 30 starts while averaging just over 24 minutes per contest. He posted career-best numbers across several categories, finishing with averages of 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Foster also showed improved efficiency as a perimeter threat. He shot 44.7% from the field and an impressive 39.8% from three-point range, while also connecting on 58.2% of his free-throw attempts.
Perhaps just as important, Foster became more willing to look for his own offense. He averaged a career-high 6.8 field-goal attempts per game, including 3.0 attempts from beyond the arc. His increased involvement demonstrated the trust Scheyer placed in him and could be an important foundation for his senior campaign.
With another year of experience under his belt, Foster is expected to remain a key part of Duke’s backcourt. He is projected to form the starting guard tandem alongside John Blackwell Jr., who joined the Blue Devils through the transfer portal.
The combination could give Duke a strong balance of experience, athleticism and perimeter scoring. Foster’s ability to stretch the floor and make plays, combined with Blackwell’s skill set, gives Scheyer another reliable option in the backcourt.
For now, however, Foster’s health will remain one of the biggest preseason storylines surrounding Duke. An ankle injury can be difficult to manage during the buildup to a season, making it important for the Blue Devils to avoid rushing their veteran guard back onto the court.
The encouraging part is that the current expectation is that Foster will be ready when the games begin. If he can return to full strength without further setbacks, Duke should have plenty of time to build chemistry before the most important portion of the schedule arrives.
The Blue Devils also have plenty of talent elsewhere on the roster.
Patrick Ngongba II, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr are among the notable returners expected to play important roles. Their continued development gives Duke another layer of depth and versatility heading into the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Duke has added a collection of intriguing newcomers. Along with Blackwell, the Blue Devils brought in freshmen Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje, Deron Rippey Jr., Cameron Williams, Bryson Howard, Maxime Meyer and Nick Arnold. Transfers Drew Scharnowski and Jacob Theodosiou also add additional experience and depth.
That combination has helped create considerable optimism around Duke heading into the season.
Still, Foster could prove to be one of the more important pieces of the puzzle. As a returning starter and senior guard, he provides valuable continuity on a roster that features several new faces. His familiarity with Scheyer’s system and his experience playing in high-pressure situations could become especially valuable as Duke navigates a challenging schedule.
The ankle injury is therefore a development worth monitoring, but the latest outlook provides reason for optimism.
If Foster is able to recover as expected and remain healthy, Duke could enter its Nov. 2 opener with one of its key veteran leaders ready to help guide an ambitious group.
For a team with championship aspirations, having Foster available from the beginning would be a significant boost. The injury may have temporarily interrupted his preseason preparations, but the silver lining is that Duke does not currently expect it to keep its starting guard sidelined when the Blue Devils officially begin their season.
