A Pittsburgh defense that already needed to replace a lot of talent suffered a huge blow on Friday when it was announced that star defensive end Rashad Weaver would be lost for the season due to a torn ACL. Weaver led the Panthers in sacks last season and not having him for all of 2019 hurts.
Pitt junior DE Rashad Weaver will miss the 2019 season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained during practice on Thursday, Coach Pat Narduzzi announced.https://t.co/Cg2mAiHEOx
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) August 9, 2019
Rashad Weaver was named a preseason all-ACC selection by a few different magazines, and he was counted upon to provide pressure from the defensive end position after a promising sophomore campaign. In 2018, he led the Panthers with 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss and he added three fumble recoveries too.
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi was noticeably bummed by the news saying:
“Rashad Weaver embodies what Pitt football is all about. He is an outstanding player, student and leader. Everyone in this program shares his disappointment, but we know he will overcome this adversity and return better than ever.”
Since Weaver has already been redshirted once in his college career, he will have to be granted a medical redshirt in order to receive an extra year of eligibility. Otherwise, his senior campaign in 2020 will be his last with the Panthers.
The loss of Weaver means that only four returning starters will return from last year’s defense. His absence will really sting along a defensive line that was in dire need of experienced leaders, as now five of the eight players in the two-deep are underclassmen.
Amir Watts is the only returning starter along the defensive line, and the key up front will be Keyshon Camp. The defensive tackle from Lakeland, Florida was excellent at getting to the quarterback despite being an interior lineman, leading the team with 18 quarterback pressures. Camp missed three games in 2017 and six games in 2018 due to injury, so his health is paramount.
H/T Pitt Panthers and College Football Talk
