Michigan State LB Ed Davis out for season with knee injury

Michigan State linebacker Ed Davis sustained a season-ending knee injury on Wednesday, the team announced.
The injury occurred midway through Wednesday’s practice, the Spartans’s first of the preseason in full pads. An MRI exam after practiced confirmed the injury will require surgery.
Davis, a fifth-year senior, was approaching his second season as Michigan State’s starting Sam linebacker. The Detroit native was a preseason All-Big Ten pick by numerous outlets, and last year he earned All-Big Ten honorable mention from coaches and media after recording 58 tackles (12 for loss), seven sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble. Davis was also the defensive recipient of Michigan State’s Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award.
Michigan State finished No. 8 in total defense (315.8 yards allowed per game) and No. 22 in scoring defense (21.5 points allowed per game) last season, an 11–2 campaign that culminated in a Cotton Bowl win over Baylor.
Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio addressed Davis’s injury through a series of tweets sent by the program Wednesday night.
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Dantonio: We’re so disappointed for Ed Davis, & his presence in the lineup will be missed. Ed is a tremendous playmaker & a solid leader.
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 13, 2015
Dantonio: He will still have an important role on this team, & he might have the opportunity to qualify for a sixth year of eligibility.
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 13, 2015
Dantonio: Our program has faced adversity before, so now it’s time to adopt the ‘next man up’ mentality. ...
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 13, 2015
Dantonio: Ed’s season-ending injury provides others with an opportunity to have a positive impact on this team. #Spartans
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) August 13, 2015
Michigan State enters the season No. 6 in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll and No. 7 according to Sports Illustrated’s preseason top 25.
- Mike Fiammetta
