Coach Tom O'Brien of N.C. State said that linebacker Nate Irving is out for the season as he recovers from injuries suffered in a June car wreck.
O'Brien said after the team scrimmage yesterday that doctors felt that it just made more sense for Irving not to rush back after he suffered a broken leg, a collapsed lung and a separated shoulder in the June 28 accident.
The Highway Patrol said that Irving apparently fell asleep at the wheel when the accident occurred on Interstate 40 in western Johnston County. Irving's car ran off the interstate and hit two trees. Irving was charged with careless and reckless driving.
Irving, speaking to reporters for the first time since the wreck, had held out hope he would be able to return, but said he "kind of expected" being sidelined all year. He said his only memory from that night was leaving home, then waking up in a hospital.
"I would say I'm pretty blessed to make it out of the accident and be here today as I am now," he said. "I'm still here. After you see some of the pictures of the wreck, I don't have any complaints. I'm just blessed to be here. I'm just happy to be here."
When asked whether he would hold out any chance that Irving, a junior, could return this year, O'Brien said, "Never say never, but I don't expect anything to happen."
Irving was an honorable mention all-ACC pick last year despite missing three games with injuries. He finished with 84 tackles, including 12 for loss, and four interceptions in 10 games. O'Brien has said he was the team's top-rated defensive player coming out of the spring.
Sophomore Dwayne Maddox and redshirt freshman Terrell Manning figure to play larger roles with Irving out, though O'Brien said that it's too early to predict who will start the opener against South Carolina on Sept. 3.
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