Georgia Tech defensive tackle Adam Gotsis is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury suffered in the Virginia game last Saturday. Gotsis hurt his knee on the first play from scrimmage in the Yellow Jackets’ 27-21 loss to the Cavaliers.
Gotsis, a captain and three-year starter, has been the team’s best defensive player this season with 31 tackles, five for loss.
“He really was playing at a high level, and being the leader of the defense and all that,” coach Paul Johnson said. “I’m more disappointed for him than anything, but he’s got a great attitude. He’s going to bounce back. He’s ready to get rehab going and get better.”
It is a significant loss for the Jackets, who have allowed four of their past five opponents to rush for 200 yards or more. It is coupled with the two-game suspension of defensive tackle Jabari Hunt for violating team rules. Hunt did not play against Virginia and will sit out Tech’s game against Virginia Tech Nov. 12 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
As was the case against Virginia, backup defensive tackles Kyle Cerge-Henderson and Francis Kallon figure to get their fill of playing time alongside Patrick Gamble.
It continues a hard-to-believe string of injuries for the Jackets. Eight of the 22 starters in the season opener, not counting Gotsis, have missed games with injuries, and at least five other players expected to play a significant role suffered season-ending injuries before or during the season.
It ends the career for Gotsis, one of the more unlikely success stories in Tech football history. Discovered by a football coach in Australia who had played for Johnson at Hawaii, Gotsis arrived at Tech in 2012 and was almost immediately a contributor.
Gotsis figures to have a chance at the NFL after his rehabilitation.
“He’ll get his opportunity to play,” Johnson said. “It’s just going to be a little later than it probably would have been.”
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