Duke players Kelby Brown and Braxton Deaver have had quite the relationship over the past three years.
The pair both missed the 2012 season due to injury, and were both lost to injury again in August. Brown, a linebacker, tore his left ACL on Aug. 11, while Deaver, a tight end, tore his right ACL a week later.
And Monday, both players were approved by the NCAA to return in 2015 after receiving medical redshirts.
Both players were unsure whether or not they wanted to return after suffering their respective injuries.
“I was pretty unsure about (the decision) when I got injured,” Deaver told the Charlotte News & Observer. “Mentally and emotionally, I wasn’t really there; it was something I really had to think about. As I started to recover, I became more clear-headed about the whole situation, and after looking at my options, it was a no-brainer.”
Brown actually suffered his third torn ACL of his career this fall; he previously tore the ligament in 2010 as well.
“I took a couple of weeks, probably a month, for some time to heal,” Brown said. “My inclination was to not play again. I spent a lot of time with Braxton and we helped each other through the process. Coach Cutcliffe was amazing throughout the entire time; he helped me find joy in the decision. He didn’t pressure me either way. He just gave me practical advice. It is the right decision.”
Both players are expected to be key contributors for a Blue Devils program that could be defending its second straight division championship in 2015.