Duke loses two starting cornerbacks coming into Virginia game

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Injury has struck Duke’s secondary, as the Blue Devils announced they have lost two starting cornerbacks indefinitely just days before traveling to Charlottesville to open Virginia’s season.

First, redshirt junior corner Josh Blackwell underwent surgery on Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Blackwell (6-foot-1, 175 pounds) suffered the injury in practice on Sunday and is out indefinitely.

Blackwell had started both of Duke’s games this season and had registered four tackles and a tackle for loss.

While his absence will be felt in the Blue Devils’ secondary, Blackwell was also Duke’s main punt-return man, having returned five punts for 35 yards.

More bad news hit the Duke defense on Tuesday when senior corner Mark Gilbert underwent surgery to remove loose bone fragments in his right knee. He is also out indefinitely.

Gilbert had also started the Blue Devils’ games against Notre Dame and Boston College, posting eight tackles and an interception. He had played in 29 career games for Duke and had seven interceptions to his credit, along with 17 pass breakups.

Duke will play at Virginia at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be televised by the ACC Network.