By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
Junior defensive end Jamal Palmer is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee during Baylor’s 28-7 win over Texas on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a huge blow because he’s a great player,” head coach Art Briles said. “He’s a great teammate and smart guy that has played a lot of snaps for us the last three years. He’s done a tremendous job this year, so it is a blow.”
Palmer was forced to leave the game on Saturday and was replaced by redshirt freshman K.J. Smith for the remainder of the game. He failed to record a tackle against Texas on Saturday before his injury forced him to sit the bench.
Palmer, a five game starter, has 14 tackles, including three for loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks this season. Palmer had five tackles against SMU on Aug. 31 in Baylor’s season opener and posted four tackles in both Northwestern State and Buffalo games on Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.
As a sophomore last season, Palmer recorded 38 tackles including 11 for loss and five quarterback sacks and forced five fumbles.
Briles and the rest of the coaching staff look toward sophomore Javonte Magee and redshirt freshman Brian Nance to replace Palmer for the remainder of the season.
Baylor will need to fill the gap at defensive end quickly as it faces No. 9 TCU Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. in McLane Stadium.
