The Pittsburgh Panthers will not be getting starting linebacker Quintin Wirginis back after his three-game suspension is over. The senior suffered a season-ending non-football injury that head coach Pat Narduzzi declined to elaborate on when he made the announcement on Tuesday.
“Disappointing, but something we deal with. That’s what we do,” said Narduzzi, per Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“He prepared all camp for it. He’s a great player and a great kid, so obviously you’d like to have him, but what are you going to do?”
Wirginis participated in the entirety of camp, so this injury is very recent. He entered the season as Pitt’s only senior on scholarship and was expected to resume his duties as a starter. Wirginis had been a starter the past two years before being suspended three games of the season for undisclosed reasons. He’s set to graduate in December and could play in 2018 on a redshirt season.
Last season as a junior, Wirginis tallied 28 tackles, four for a loss and 4.5 sacks for the Panthers.