Duke reportedly has suffered a major loss before its season opener

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:46 p.m. ET

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Chris Bahr

If the Duke Blue Devils are going to make a fifth consecutive bowl appearance, it appears they’ll have to do it without their starting quarterback.

Senior QB Thomas Sirk has suffered a season-ending left Achilles injury, according to multiple reports. It’s the same Achilles he tore in February; he also tore his right Achilles tendon prior to the 2013 season.

Sirk passed for 2,624 yards and 16 TDs last season, and he also led the Blue Devils in rushing yards (809) and rushing TDs (eight). He was the co-MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl win over Indiana.

Head coach David Cutcliffe has guided the Blue Devils to three consecutive winning seasons – the first time the program has accomplished that since the early 1960s – but now likely will have to turn to redshirt freshman Daniel Jones to lead the offense.

Duke finished 8-5 last season, going 4-4 in the ACC. The Blue Devils open this season on Sept. 3 against North Caroline Central.

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