Due tight end Braxton Deaver will be out for the season after tearing his ACL.
Deaver suffered the injury during practice on Monday. The injury was confirmed by an MRI. He is the second Duke player to be out for the season due to a torn ACL, joining middle linebacker Kelby Brown, according to ESPN.
"This certainly seems redundant after Kelby's injury last week, but again our thoughts and prayers lie with Braxton and his family with this news," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said in a statement. "While we'll miss his presence on the field, the priorities with Braxton right now shift to his health and spirit. We do know that Braxton will continue to be a valued member of our program going forward."
Deaver is one of the best tight ends in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division. He was considered the second-best tight end in the ACC this season. He is also a third-team All-ACC selection. Last season he had 46 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns, according to the Associated Press. That was after Deaver had missed the 2012 season due to a torn ACL. Deaver and Brown can petition the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility if they want to.
With Deaver out Duke has now lost four players for the upcoming season. In addition to Deaver and Brown, they have also lost running back Jela Duncan (academics) and quarterback Brandon Connette, who transferred. David Reeves will most likely be Deaver’s replacement. Reeves had 18 receptions in 2012, but just three last year.