A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin confirmed after Thursday’s practice that sophomore safety Justin Dunning is out for the season with a torn right ACL and will have surgery next week.
“It’s really unfortunate,” Sumlin said. “I sat down and talked to him today. Everybody’s frustrated. He’s frustrated. He’s such a good person. You want great things to happen for him, but it’s another setback for him.”
Dunning left Monday’s practice after he awkwardly fell during a special teams drill and did not return.
Dunning had received high praise during Fall Camp was expected to potentially play behind junior Donovan Wilson in the crucial nickel position, a safety/linebacker flex, after having a solid freshman campaign, recording 20 tackles while playing in 11 of 13 games.
The injury is Dunning’s third ACL tear, but the first on his right knee as he previously tore his left ACL twice, one of which kept him out for the majority of his junior year of high school.