After a breakout 2011 season, Coles was expected to be the top returning receiver for the Hokies in 2012. However, offseason surgery on his PCL slowed him down as he missed spring practice and most of August camp. Re-injuring his knee Monday night against Georgia Tech forced him to shelf the season.
The emergence of Corey Fuller and Demitri Knowles softens the blow a bit, but the loss of a talented player at an already thin position can't be downplayed. Look for true freshman Joshua Stanford to get a lot of work against Austin Peay.
Here's the official release from HokieSports.com.
Virginia Tech senior wide receiver D.J. Coles will undergo an MRI on his knee and will miss the remainder of the 2012 season, as announced Thursday by head athletic trainer Mike Goforth. The Maidens, Va., native had off-season PCL surgery on his right knee, but returned for Monday’s opener against Georgia Tech. He injured the right knee again in the first quarter.
Because Coles has not played in more than 30 percent of this year's season, he will be eligible to apply for a medical hardship waiver at the conclusion of the season. Coles has not redshirted, so provided the medical hardship waiver is granted, he will be eligible to return next year for a fifth season. Goforth says it's almost certain that Coles will be granted the waiver and will return next year.
Coles has played in 37 games for his career, starting three. He has 39 receptions for 507 yards and three touchdowns.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery D.J.
Comments
Duuuuude
That's awful, hope he gets the waiver so he can play next season.
I'm glad that Fuller and Knowles surprised us last week, but this definitely hurts us.
What do you guys know about Stanford?
Awww son-of-a...
Poor guy. Hopefully his presence on the sidelines will aid in growing our young receiver core.
ugh, dear Dyrell Roberts, play like a senior
They'll be fine...
I feel for DJ, someone whom I thought should RS before last season and felt the same about this year.
Davis, Roberts, Fuller, Knowles and Asante/Stanford have to get the job done -- there's no choice. I think they answer the bell. Throw in Martin/Malleck/Dunn and we've got a group that can move the ball up the field.
DJ as the veteran on the roster next year is also going to pay dividends.
Heal up, DJ. We'll all be going nuts when 18 runs out of the tunnel next year against Alabama!
I'm cautiously optimistic.
Obviously they cannot afford another injury. Marcus Davis played well Monday, but he's still not as consistent as Coale, Boykin or Coles were last season. Dunn didn't play a snap Monday, and I don't expect him to be a factor, but I think the other two tight ends could be difference makers. I just wish they'd been more of focus outside the final two minutes. Roberts looks like he's lost a step, which is unfortunate. We've all see the picture of his leg looking like a meatball sub, and then the broken arm last year, so yeah, I can't fault him for losing a bit of his blaze.
I am really encouraged by Fuller, and the trust LT3 has in him. They seem to be on the same page. If Knowles can develop into a deep threat and one other guy steps up, then I think we'll be fine. I really want to see Stanford out there getting work for 50+ snaps.
And if he can get back to 100%, D.J. coming back next year to lead an even younger group of guys is huge.
I really feel for these guys (DJ, Dyrell, et alll) that work hard to return, then re-injure themselves in a different way. I've never experienced it in competition, but speaking from personal experience with my own athletic pursuits it is probably the most frustrating thing that can happen to you.
Wishing him the best during the road back to recovery.
Best wishes
for DJ....perhaps his return will help convince LT3 to hang around for the Bama game and next year.