NC State starting QB Mitchell breaks foot, out 4-6 weeks

Published Aug. 31, 2013 5:47 p.m. ET

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RALEIGH, N.C. -- N.C. State quarterback Brandon Mitchell, who started the season opener after a positional battle with Pete Thomas in camp, will need surgery on a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot, sources tell CBSSports.com.

N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren confirmed after the game that Mitchell will miss 4-6 weeks due to the fracture.

Mitchell was battling Thomas, a Colorado State transfer, in fall camp for the starting position, and Doeren declined to name a starter until game day ... when Mitchell took the opening snaps against the Louisiana Tech game.

The injury to Mitchell happened in the first quarter, but the Arkansas transfer guided the team to touchdowns on its first two possessions.

After his third possession, he limped into the tunnel to get x-rays.

It is not known when or how Mitchell suffered the injury, but he didn’t return the game. His last play was a run on 3rd-and-1 when he was hit hard and stopped short.

Eventually he came back to the sideline on crutches and wearing a boot on the injured foot.

Mitchell finished 3-of-3 passing for 93 yards and added five rushes for 19 yards. His backup, Thomas, struggled initially but looked better as the game went on, finishing 15-of-27 for 212 yards and no touchdowns. Still, he is not the rushing threat that Mitchell is, finishing with -2 yards on two attempts (one sack).