Army coach Rich Ellerson said junior linebacker Andrew Rodriguez “isn’t going to be available for a while” at his press conference Tuesday.
Rodriguez, Army’s leading tackler last season, has a back injury that has no prognosis. It could be a long-term injury.
“It’s a heartbreak for us and him,” Ellerson said. “We’ll keep our fingers crossed as the season progresses to see if we can get him back out there.”
Rodriguez has dressed for practice but has not participated in drills. He’s still a big part of the team, mentoring sophomore Nate Combs, who will start at whip linebacker for Rodriguez.
“A-Rod’s been my right-hand man through this whole process,” Combs said. “He’s a technician. He’s making me perfect. Everything I do, he’s making me that player.”