Rutgers football is facing a significant challenge ahead of the 2024 season as senior linebacker Mohamed Toure has been ruled out for the year due to a torn ACL. This injury marks a devastating setback not only for Toure but also for the entire Scarlet Knights defense, which was poised for a potentially strong season starting on August 29th against Howard at SHI Stadium.
Head coach Greg Schiano shared the unfortunate news on Tuesday, expressing the team's collective disappointment. "It's sad," Schiano said. "He put so much work into getting ready for the year. But that's the game of football, unfortunately. There's things that happen. As a family, we've surrounded him, we're supporting him, we will help him through the rehab and get him back and get him reaching his goals and aspirations."
Toure, a native of Pleasantville, also missed the 2022 season with a similar ACL injury. Despite this, he returned in 2023 with an outstanding performance, playing in all 13 games and securing 93 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. His efforts earned him fourth-team All-Big Ten honors and a spot as a semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The loss of Toure, who was also a team captain last year, leaves a significant gap in Rutgers' defense, which had shown promising signs after a 7-6 season in 2023. Toure was one of eight returning starters from a defense that allowed just 21.2 points per game. His leadership and on-field presence will be sorely missed.
Schiano emphasized the importance of depth at the linebacker position, noting that sophomores Moses Walker, Dariel Djabome, and Abram Wright are expected to step up in Toure's absence. "It's next man up at linebacker," Schiano stated. "We're fortunate we have some good depth at the position. Those guys will be ready to play."
Rutgers has had a string of bad luck at the linebacker position, with Tyreem Powell also dealing with injuries, including a broken hand and a torn Achilles. His status for the season opener remains uncertain, further complicating the situation for the Scarlet Knights.
As Rutgers looks ahead to the season, the team will need to rally around its remaining linebackers and rely on its depth to navigate a challenging schedule. Despite the setbacks, Schiano remains optimistic about the team's resilience and readiness to compete.
The Scarlet Knights' season win total is set at 6.5, with their first test coming against Howard next Thursday. With Toure sidelined, Rutgers will need to find new defensive leaders to step up and fill the void left by one of their most experienced and talented players.
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