Michigan State: Brian Lewerke Breaks Leg, Out For Season
Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke broke his leg against Michigan on Saturday and will miss the rest of the season, per the team.
Michigan State Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke will miss the rest of the season with a broken tibia, according to the team. The redshirt freshman will not require surgery, is expected to undergo a 12-week recovery and should be back by spring according to head coach Mark Dantonio.
Lewerke suffered the injury on a play in the fourth quarter when he was sacked by Jabrill Peppers. He had to be helped off the field and fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor finished the game at quarterback.
The Spartans did not comment on Lewerke’s injury until a Sunday night teleconference with Dantonio. According to Dantonio, the Spartans “thought it was an ACL initially but it’s not.”
More from Michigan State Spartans
- Betting Preview: Best Bets for Michigan vs. Michigan State
- Michigan State basketball earns no. 7 seed, will play Davidson
- Jayden Reed returning to Michigan State football is huge news
- Peach Bowl: Michigan State football betting odds and prediction
- Michigan State football’s Kenneth Walker III snubbed from popularity contest
Lewerke played in four games this season, completing 31 of 57 passes for 381 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He was pulled from his first start of the season against Northwestern but started again the next week against Maryland before being the Spartans’ third quarterback against Michigan.
Michigan State has had well-documented problems at the quarterback position all season long, having deployed three quarterbacks, none of whom have been particularly impressive as the Spartans’ season has unraveled in a six-game losing streak, including all five conference games. Lewerke was playing his best game of the season when he got hurt, having completed six of ten passes for 100 yards and a touchdown before his injury.
With Lewerke unavailable, it seems likely that Dantonio will start O’Connor, who is not entirely healthy, at quarterback on Saturday against Illinois, although he reportedly has not decided yet. Junior Damion Terry, who also played against Michigan but left after getting the wind knocked out of him, will likely be O’Connor’s backup.
Next: Detroit Lions Can't Overcome Errors In Loss To Texans
Freshman Messiah deWeaver is yet to play this season, and although the Spartans would likely be loath to take away his redshirt this season, Dantonio says that both he and walk-on Colar Kuhns will get snaps at the number-three quarterback spot.