Vandy starting LB Strong out for season

Published Sep. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Vanderbilt starting linebacker Tristan Strong will miss the rest of the season after hurting his leg covering a punt in the Commodores' loss at then-No. 12 South Carolina.

The redshirt junior from Loganville, Ga., was hurt just before halftime, and this is his second season-ending injury in three years. The Commodores declined Tuesday to specify the injury, but The Tennessean reports Strong tore an ACL.

Archibald Barnes is expected to replace Strong in the starting lineup. Barnes had a career-high seven tackles and forced a fumble replacing Strong against the Gamecocks.

Strong ranked third on the team with 13 solo tackles and tied for third with 16 total tackles, both career highs.

Vanderbilt (3-1, 1-1) has an open date Saturday before visiting No. 3 Alabama on Oct. 8.