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WVU football has LB options behind Long

By Matthew Peaslee

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: The West Virginia Mountaineer mascot interacts with fans in the final moments of the West Virginia Mountaineers 24-21 win over the Baylor Bears at Mountaineer Field on December 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: The West Virginia Mountaineer mascot interacts with fans in the final moments of the West Virginia Mountaineers 24-21 win over the Baylor Bears at Mountaineer Field on December 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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David Long had a breakout freshman season for the WVU football team in 2016. He started 10 of the 13 games he appeared in, helping the Mountaineers reach the 10-win plateau for the first time since the 2011 season.

The Mountaineers used Long to shore up the defense. Head coach Dana Holgorsen showed great respect for the youngster, allowing him early playing time after his redshirt season.

Coming into the 2017 season, things looked up for Long as he recorded the best game of his career in the Russell Athletic Bowl against Miami. Long, a Cincinnati native, had 11 tackles against the Hurricanes, including one tackle for a loss.

He would have been a leader on the defensive side of the ball in the Mountaineers’ season-opening game against Virginia Tech.

Long won’t get to play against the Hokies, though. He also won’t suit up against East Carolina or Delaware State. Long suffered a knee injury over the summer and was originally said to be out for the first month of the season.

His progress and rehabilitation seems to be going smoothly and he might actually be ready to play after Week 1. The best bet if for Long to be ready for the Big 12 Conference opener against Kansas. There is no sense rushing him.

The WVU football team has solid depth at the linebacker position. There are other guys waiting to step up in his absence.

The following is a list of players who will see action in the place of David Long while he nurses his knee injury.

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