Half of the Big Ten’s 14 teams, including Nebraska and Iowa, have already lost a starter for the season to a major knee injury.
Here’s a list of those who are sidelined, in chronological order of when injured:
» Brandon Snyder, Iowa, free safety: The senior led the Hawkeyes last year in forced fumbles (three), tied for the team lead in interceptions (three) and was third in tackles (85). Snyder was injured in spring practice.
» John Reid, cornerback, Penn State: The junior started three games as a true freshman and 14 as a sophomore while earning honorable mention All-Big Ten. Last year, he led the Nittany Lions in pass breakups and was third in the Big Ten in punt return average at 7.5 yards. Reid was injured in spring practice.
» Solomon Vault, receiver/returner, Northwestern: The senior has four career kickoff returns for touchdowns and was third in the Big Ten last season at 24.3 yards, including a 95-yarder against Michigan State. He was third-team All-Big Ten as a returner for the second straight season. Vault underwent surgery in late May to repair cumulative knee damage.
» Chris Jones, cornerback, Nebraska: The senior played some as a true freshman and evolved through his career into the Huskers’ top cover corner and strong pro prospect. Last season, he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten while intercepting three passes, including returning one for a touchdown against Indiana. Jones was injured in July in summer conditioning.
(The Huskers also lost true freshman wide receiver Jaevon McQuitty to a torn ACL in fall camp. Though he wasn’t expected to start, McQuitty was in the mix for playing time.)
» Tyreek Maddox-Williams, linebacker, Rutgers: The sophomore started six games as a true freshman and was picked on ESPN.com’s Big Ten all-freshman team, finishing with 47 tackles and a blocked punt. Maddox-Williams was injured in fall camp.
» Jack Cichy, linebacker, Wisconsin: The fifth-year senior was a candidate for Big Ten defensive player of the year and a preseason All-American. Last year, despite playing half the season because of a chest injury, Cichy earned honorable mention All-Big Ten with 60 tackles. He was injured in fall camp.
» Jake Hansen, linebacker, Illinois: The sophomore played in all 12 games as a freshman and started one. He emerged in spring practice and the fall as an impact player. Hansen was injured in fall camp.