Aug. 13, 2010
Vanderbilt junior tight end Austin Monahan will miss the 2010 season due to a knee injury, Head Coach Robbie Caldwell confirmed Friday.
Monahan was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament after injuring his right knee at practice Thursday. It marks the third consecutive season that an injury has ended Monahan’s campaign prematurely. The native of Charlotte missed the final nine games in 2008 with a shoulder fracture, and the final six games last year with a torn left knee ACL.
Caldwell also announced that sophomore Zac Stacy is expected to miss 3-5 weeks with a knee sprain suffered one play after Monahan went out. Stacy, the team’s second leading rushing as a freshman in 2009, is listed as questionable for the season opener against Northwestern.
“I’m disappointed for both players, but Zac will get back quickly. It’s really sad for Austin because he’d worked so hard to return this season at full speed,” Caldwell said. “I know how disappointed he is. For this to happen for a third straight year is just very unfortunate.”
Monahan’s injury leaves the Commodores with just one tight end with game experience, junior Brandon Barden.
Senior running back Kennard Reeves, who missed the last three practices with a troublesome hamstring, is expected to return today, giving the offense added depth in Stacy’s absence.
“You hate it any time one of your guys is injured, but it also creates opportunity for other guys on the team,” Caldwell said. “Some of our players need to look at this as their opportunity.”
