If Carlos Mendoza is to take over as one of Arizona State’s starting linebackers, he’ll have to wait to do so.
According to the Arizona Republic, the redshirt sophomore (pictured, No. 7) suffered an injury to his left knee at some point this week, head coach Todd Graham said, and will be out at least 3-4 weeks. Exactly how and when the injury occurred weren’t detailed by the football staff.
The timeline for a return means that Mendoza is most certainly out of the Aug. 28 opener against FCS-level Weber State. The Week 2 game against New Mexico Sept. 6 is in jeopardy as well.
The Sun Devils open Pac-12 play the following Saturday against Colorado.
Injuries the past two seasons have limited the three-star 2012 signee to just seven games played. At the point he was injured, however, Mendoza was working extensively and almost exclusively with the first-team defense at weakside linebacker.