Bad news for the Big East and worse news for Pitt as first-team All-Conference wide receiver Derek Kinder has torn his ACL and will miss the entire 2007 season.
According to the AP story, Kinder injured himself making a cut after catching a pass during a noncontact drill. He is expected to have surgery this week.
The school will seek a medical redshirt for Kinder, who could return for his senior season in 2008. In 2006 he caught 57 passes (including a season-best 11 against Louisville) for 846 yards, and hauled in six touchdowns.
Kinder's injury in the latest blow in what has been a tumultuous start to the season for the Panthers. On Tuesday freshman quarterback Pat Bostick left the team temporarily because of personal issues, then projected starting quarterback Bill Stull injured his thumb on Friday, and serious problems with the offensive line have been well documented by the media since the start of practice two weeks ago.
The good news for Pitt fans (who desperately need some) is that Oderick Turner is healthy and coming off of a freshman season that saw him catch 44 balls for 660 yards and eight touchdowns.