Blue Devils tight end Braxton Deaver out for the season

Duke Football
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network
Duke Football
Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke Blue Devils lost another key player and starter for the upcoming football season.

Just a week after losing linebacker Kelby Brown due to an ACL tear, tight end Braxton Deaver went down with the same type of injury to his right knee during the team’s scrimmage on Monday.

“This certainly seems redundant after Kelby’s injury last week, but again our thoughts and prayers lie with Braxton and his family with this news,” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said.

“While we’ll miss his presence on the field, the priorities with Braxton right now shift to his health and spirit. We do know that Braxton will continue to be a valued member of our program going forward.”

Deaver’s latest injury added to a list of physical setbacks he previously recovered from when he missed the 2012 season following three surgeries for a torn left ACL, a left thumb fracture, and a left patella fracture.

Following that time, Deaver, a 6-5, 240-pounder became a third team All-ACC choice in 2013 after posting 46 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns, all totals that ranked second among league tight ends.

He had multiple receptions in every game in 2013, including six for a career-high 116 yards in Duke’s 52-48 loss to No. 20 Texas A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl to earn a spot on ESPN’s All-Bowl Team.

As a 2014 preseason second team All-ACC pick by Athlon Sports, Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele, Deaver also keyed Duke’s 35-22 comeback win against Virginia on Oct. 19, scoring back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter covering 47 and 24 yards to help the Blue Devils overcome a 22-0 deficit.

In July, Deaver was named to the preseason Watch List for the John Mackey Award which honors the top tight end in college football.

In 26 career games at Duke, he has caught 54 passes for 707 yards and four touchdowns.