Spartans lose LB Davis for season

The injuries keep coming for the Michigan State defense.

Ed Davis, the Spartans’ most experienced linebacker, will miss the 2015 season, the team announced on Wednesday night. Davis suffered a knee injury during Michigan State’s first practice in full pads.

The honorable mention All-Big Ten selection racked up 12 tackles for loss last season and recorded 58 tackles. Davis was ranked No. 133 in 247Sports’ top 247 players in college football, which came out on Wednesday.

A Badnarik Watch List candidate, he was entering his second season as a starter. This was supposed to be his fifth year in East Lansing. Davis could apply for a medical redshirt and return for a sixth season, or he can declare for the NFL draft.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio spoke highly of the senior’s abilities.

Mark Dantonio said earlier this month that Ed Davis was as good a linebacker as the Spartans have had in his tenure. Big, big loss for MSU.

— Brian Bennett (@BennettESPN) August 13, 2015

The news came four days after Dantonio told the media that the team’s most experienced cornerback, Darian Hicks, would miss several weeks with mononucleosis.

Chris Frey is listed as Davis’ backup at SAM linebacker.

The Spartans will take on Oregon, the nation’s fourth-ranked offense, in Week 2.