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Rising redshirt junior mike linebacker Barquell Rivers earlier this week tore his quadriceps muscle. He had surgery yesterday to repair the damage. Head trainer Mike Goforth initially expected Rivers to miss 3-4 months, but the surgery revealed the injury was more severe than they first thought. Goforth now says Rivers will miss 5-6 months, which means he could return to the team as early as August.

Expect the coaching staff to push the young linebackers deeper on the depth chart a little harder this spring. While Rivers should be back in time for the start of the season, the Hokies will need some of these guys to be ready to step up if Rivers can’t go.

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