Duke’s DeVon Edwards was a three-time All-American as a kick returner and two-time All-ACC selection as a defensive back. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan) Duke may have knocked off Notre Dame on Saturday, but it lost one of its best players in the process.
Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe announced Sunday that standout defensive back DeVon Edwards tore both the ACL and MCL in his left knee against the Irish. Edwards will undergo surgery, ending the fifth-year senior’s career.
Edwards, an all-conference caliber safety and one of the nation’s top kick returners, was injured on the game’s opening kickoff. With Edwards out, Duke has lost two of its senior captains for the season. Quarterback Thomas Sirk suffered an Achilles injury in August.
“We’re very saddened for DeVon and his family. He is a great leader, but he is absolutely a great player and a great person,” Cutcliffe said in a statement. “He’ll have to have an impact like Thomas. Thomas has been an inspiration for us all, certainly the team, and now we have another captain thrust into that role. We are with him every step of the way through this.”
The school said Edwards will undergo surgery “at a date to be determined.”
Edwards finishes his career with 327 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, five interceptions, six forced fumbles and six kickoff return touchdowns. His six kick return touchdowns are tied for third-most in NCAA history.
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Edwards, who already graduated from Duke with a psychology degree, was a three-time All-America selection as a returner and a two-time all-ACC defensive back. He is currently studying for his master’s degree in liberal studies.
Duke, now 2-2 after Saturday’s win, hosts Virginia on Saturday.

For more Duke news, visit DevilsIllustrated.com.

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