An already suspect Texas A&M defense has suffered a rather significant gut-punch, with one of its top players on that side of the ball set to undergo season-ending surgery.
While not exactly surprising, Kevin Sumlin confirmed the worst Tuesday: defensive tackle Kirby Ennis has a torn ACL and will not play again in 2013. Ennis suffered the injury to his left knee in the Sept. 28 win over Arkansas.
As Ennis is a senior, not only is his season over but his playing career in College Station has come to an end as well.
The season-ending injury continues what’s been a rocky past few months for the lineman.
Ennis was arrested in February on a gun-rleated charge and suspended indefinitely by Sumlin. In early August, it was announced that Ennis would be suspended for the opener because of the incident. He has started every game in which he’s played this season after starting 11 in 2012.
With Ennis sidelined, true freshman Isaiah Golden will replace him as the starter at tackle. When asked about such a young player stepping in for someone as talented and experienced as Ennis, Sumlin quipped, “This isn’t the NFL. I can’t call Bob Stoops and trade for a guy.”