An ongoing issue with a rather important part of the human anatomy will cost Oregon State a starter on the defensive side of the ball this postseason.
Head coach Mike Riley confirmed over the weekend that D.J. Alexander has undergone surgery to repair damage to the player’s neck. As a result, the starting linebacker will not play in the Beavers’ Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl matchup with Boise State.
The decision to undergo a medical procedure has been a long time in the making, with the junior dealing with a stinger issue since high school.
“They just built up,” Alexander said of issues with his neck. “I took care of it. Hopefully it works.”
The decision to undergo surgery now was made in the hope that Alexander will be fully healthy for the 2014 season. Whether Alexander will participate in spring practice is unknown.
The stinger issue cost Alexander a game in early November. He also missed the first two games of the 2013 season with a knee injury.
While Alexander missed three full games, he finished the regular season third on the team in tackles with 63. In 2012, Alexander started all 13 games at strongside linebacker.