Last year around this time, Cal’s Nathan Broussard went down with a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2013 season.
Unfortunately for the linebacker, it’s lather, tear, repeat yet again.
Broussard, head coach Sonny Dykes confirmed, suffered yet another torn ACL recently. The San Jose Mercury News wrote that “Broussard was diagnosed with a torn ACL to his left knee after twice ‘tweaking’ it in recent days.”
Both of the ACL tears have been in his left knee. As a result of the second injury, obviously, Broussard will miss the entire 2014 season.
Despite missing all of last season, Broussard was projected to be the Golden Bears’ starting middle linebacker.
After redshirting as a true freshman in 2011, Broussard, a three-star member of Cal’s 2011 recruiting class, played in 11 games in 2012, starting four of those contests. He was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss.
Because the pair of ACL injuries will have cost him two full seasons, Broussard should be able to petition the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver and be rewarded additional eligibility.
In addition to Burroughs, safety Quentin Tartabull has been lost for the season with a torn ACL suffered Wednesday. The freshman had been expected to be a contributor as a backup.
Also, running back Jeffrey Copich will miss upwards of two months after breaking bones in his left foot earlier in the week. As a freshman last season, Copich rushed for 23 yards on four carries.
(Photo credit: Cal athletics)