Pete Massaro out for 2011 with ACL tear

We'll have to wait another whole year
to see more of this from Pete Massaro.

This kid just can't catch a break. Via Jeff Nelson:

A 2010 CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American, Massaro tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, according to Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State Director of Athletic Medicine. Massaro will have surgery within the next 2-3 weeks and rehabilitation will take approximately nine months, according to Sebastianelli.

And you thought Penn State's defensive ends were a weak spot in 2010? Missing Massaro in 2011, despite more experience and depth overall, is still a big hit to take for this unit.

I smell a medical hardship waiver in Pete's future, should he wish to apply for a sixth season. But that's down the road. For now, let's hope for a strong recovery.

Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email

By the way... Gilliam is done, too

Garry Gilliam tore his ACL
Saturday night at Iowa.

Old news, but still bad enough to use an official post here. Garry Gilliam is done for the season with a torn ACL:

"He's got an ACL [tear] just like [right tackle Lou] Eliades," Paterno said. "I said to Doc, 'can we play one game without losing a football player for the season?' That was a big situation, no question about it."

So Penn State is now down to a true freshman at tight end, Kevin Haplea, and everybody's favorite giant wide receiver Brett Brackett. I do know that redshirt sophomore tight end Mark Wedderburn is still on the team, but it remains to be seen if the coaches actually start using him. This team has gone from two eventual NFL Draft picks at tight end last year, to one true freshman and a hybrid wide receiver. Fantastic.

Follow LBU on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Linebacker-U.com by Email