UVA Defense Gets Bad News As Two Key Starters Sidelined by Injury

Virginia has lost two defensive starters, one for the rest of the season due to a medical issue, and the other for at least six weeks. The news came from Bronco Mendenhall’s weekly press conference Monday, news that will have a major impact on a Cavaliers’ defense that hit its stride last weekend with a dominating performance against Louisville.

Due to medical condition, Richard Burney is done for the year

Starting defensive end Richard Burney is done for the year due to a medical condition, Mendenhall said, and starting inside linebacker Jordan Mack will miss the next six weeks with what was speculated but not confirmed as a shoulder injury.

“[Burney] will be fine, but he’s getting treatment for it,” Mendenhall said. “That’s really all I can pass on at this point.”

Meanwhile, inside linebacker Malcolm Cook may still be missing from the lineup. Mendenhall said he wasn’t sure about Cook’s immediate return but noted he wasn’t counting on it. Another inside linebacker, Dom Shepherd, has also been out with an injury meaning that three of UVa’s top four at those two spots are out.