Irving Out for the Year

NC State head coach Tom O'Brien announced tonight that junior linebacker Nate Irving will miss the 2009 season with a leg injury.

Nate Irving was injured in a car accident in June and sustained non-life threatening injuries. He suffered a punctured lung and a broken leg, and apparently the leg will not be healed in time for him to return in 2009. Coach O'Brien told the media on Thursday that there was a slim chance he could rejoin the team should they make a January bowl game.

Irving was an honorable mention All-ACC performer in 2008, despite missing almost a third of the season with injuries. He tied for third on the team with 84 stops.

A redshirt junior, he will be able to return and play for the Wolfpack in 2010.