Tobias Merriweather and Kyion Grayes have been projected as Cal’s top receivers since announcing they were transferring to Cal. But they and their big-play potential have yet to make an appearance in a game for the Golden Bears (4-4, 0-4 ACC).

There’s an outside chance one or both will make their Cal debut in Friday night’s game at Wake Forest (4-4, 2-2 ACC). Linebacker Cade Uluave and tight end Corey Dyches have a good chance to play this week after missing the Oregon State game with injuries, but it’s the status of Merriweather and Grayes that draws the most curiosity.

Head coach Justin Wilcox on Tuesday described the status of Merriweather and Grayes as “week-to-week,” which typically means they are unlikely to play this week. But they have made progress from their preseason injuries and are now on the practice field.

“They’re kind of week-to-week right now,” Wilcox said, “but both showed progress in the bye week.”

Of the two, Merriweather is the most likely to return this week. Conditioning is a factor for wide receivers who have been sidelined for an extended period, so he remains a long shot who will either play Friday or even make the trip to Wake Forest. But it’s not impossible, and offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch was clear in his assessment of whether Merriweather or Grayes will play this week.

“I hope so,” he said.

When reminded that he’s been hoping to return for two months, Bloesch said, “I’ll tell you this: We’re a lot closer now than we were two months ago.”

There was no indication that either Merriweather, a junior who transferred from Notre Dame, or Grayes, a third-year transfer from Ohio State, would sit out this season and require a medical redshirt to recover the season. But missing some of Cal’s remaining four games will certainly raise that issue.

Cal’s receiving corps has been productive without Merriweather and Grayes, but the two would provide a much-needed deep threat. They worked with the first-team offense throughout preseason practice, but injuries shortly before the opener kept them from being on the field to produce the plays that are critical to offensive success.

Without them, Cal ranks sixth in the ACC in passing offense, but the Bears rank 12th in the conference in total offense and 13th in scoring. So getting some long passing touchdowns on one play would help the Bears’ chances of getting two more wins needed to be bowl eligible.

The return of offensive tackle TJ Session this week after missing the Oregon State game should help the offensive line, and guard Sioape Vaticani didn’t suffer a setback against the Beavers, so he should be good to go for his third start of the year .

Running back Jaydn Ott is also healthy after playing without injury against Oregon State.

Dyches improved this week after missing three games this season, so he’ll likely play against Wake Forest, but there’s no guarantee. The same could be said for Uluave, the Bears’ standout inside linebacker, who missed the game against the Beavers. Uluave is also in the ‘probable’ category for the game against the Demon Deacons.

Dyches has 11 receptions this year for 139 yards, and his absence has forced Cal’s starting tight end Jack Endries to step up his production. Endries has 23 catches for 275 yards over the past three games combined.

Uluave is a cornerstone of a Bears defense that ranks first in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing 17.3 points per game and ranks second in total defense, behind only Miami. Uluave ranks third in the ACC in tackles per game (9.1), and one of the players ahead of him is fellow inside tackle Teddye Buchanan (9.6 tackles per game).

Outside linebacker Ryan McCulloch is also expected to return for Cal this week after missing the Oregon State game, although it remains unclear if outside linebacker David Reese will return this week.

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