Junior Ben Pooler, one of the Terps' primary backups at linebacker, is likely done for the season with a knee injury.
Pooler injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Wednesday's practice.
"We haven't got the MRI (results) yet," head coach Ralph Friedgen said after Thursday's workout. "But Dr. (Craig) Bennett thinks (he tore the ACL). Everybody heard a pop."
Pooler's loss would deplete one of the deepest positions on the team. He is the backup to Demetruis Hartsfield at Will linebacker and has the ability to play the other two spots.
Pooler's injury and the departure of Avery Murray leaves the Terps with just one (Darin Drakeford) of its three backups at linebacker entering the preseason.
"It hurts our team," Friedgen said. "Positions that we were deep in are starting to get thin."
Ryan Donohue was moved to Will linebacker and David Mackall was moved to Mike LB during Thursday's practice.
Mike LB Alex Wujciak (knee) has also missed the last two days of practice, but his injury is not serious.
"We talked about moving Bradley Johnson to Will, but the only problem is he's playing pretty good at defensive end right now," Friedgen said.
Friedgen also mentioned that redshirt freshman defensive end Marcus Whitfield is another possibility to move back to linebacker. He spent his true freshman season at outside linebacker.
Pooler missed nearly all of the 2008 season. He injured his right knee in his lone appearance (vs. Eastern Michigan, 9/20) and missed the remainder of the year.
He also hurt a knee during his true freshman season (2007), though he could have played late in the season if needed.
"We haven't got the MRI (results) yet," head coach Ralph Friedgen said after Thursday's workout. "But Dr. (Craig) Bennett thinks (he tore the ACL). Everybody heard a pop."
Pooler's loss would deplete one of the deepest positions on the team. He is the backup to Demetruis Hartsfield at Will linebacker and has the ability to play the other two spots.
Pooler's injury and the departure of Avery Murray leaves the Terps with just one (Darin Drakeford) of its three backups at linebacker entering the preseason.
"It hurts our team," Friedgen said. "Positions that we were deep in are starting to get thin."
Ryan Donohue was moved to Will linebacker and David Mackall was moved to Mike LB during Thursday's practice.
Mike LB Alex Wujciak (knee) has also missed the last two days of practice, but his injury is not serious.
"We talked about moving Bradley Johnson to Will, but the only problem is he's playing pretty good at defensive end right now," Friedgen said.
Friedgen also mentioned that redshirt freshman defensive end Marcus Whitfield is another possibility to move back to linebacker. He spent his true freshman season at outside linebacker.
Pooler missed nearly all of the 2008 season. He injured his right knee in his lone appearance (vs. Eastern Michigan, 9/20) and missed the remainder of the year.
He also hurt a knee during his true freshman season (2007), though he could have played late in the season if needed.
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