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Illinois coach Bret Bielema announces season-ending injury for star linebacker

Tyler Fangman

By Tyler Fangman

Published:

The Illini got some tough injury news yesterday.

Sophomore LB Calvin Hart Jr. had season-ending surgery Wednesday afternoon. It was not an ACL tear, but it was Hart Jr.’s knee that will keep him out for the rest of the year.

“It was a knee injury,” Bielema told reporters on Thursday. “Not ACL but still an injury that will keep him out.”

Hart Jr. also acknowledged the injury on Thursday afternoon:

https://twitter.com/Hart_cjEra/status/1433479316625666051

Hart Jr. had an incredible game last Saturday against the Huskers. He had 1.5 TFLs and a 41-yard fumble recovery TD against Nebraska last week just before the half.

This earned Hart Jr. the Bednarik Award, which is awarded to the National Player of the Week, and he was also the B1G Defensive  Player of the week.

The Illini are 1-0 to start after their season-opening win 30-22 against the Huskers last Saturday. Bielema is in his first season with the Illini returning  to the B1G after leaving Wisconsin in 2012.

Next up for the Illini are the UTSA Roadrunners out of Conference USA.
You can catch all the action at 7:30 ET on BTN Saturday, Sept. 4.

Tyler Fangman