Arizona State freshman linebacker Carlos Mendoza will miss the rest of the 2012 season due to a shoulder injury he suffered in the second quarter of ASU's win against Illinois.
The shoulder injury wasn't initially thought to be season-ending, but further tests revealed a bone chip that will force Mendoza to have surgery.
"We thought it would be a deal where we could just strengthen it. But they went and did an MRI and he had a bone chip, so he's going to have surgery," Arizona State coach Todd Graham said, according to AZCentral.com. "He'll be able to get a medical redshirt. He was really down about it and we were, too, but I told him we'd be real happy five years from now."
Mendoza, who was ranked as a 3-star prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, was already proving to be an impact player for the Sun Devils. He intercepted two passes against Illinois, despite going out with the injury during the second quarter.
For more information on Sun Devils football and to join the fan conversation, head on over to House of Sparky.