PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Rutgers says offensive catalyst Janarion Grant and defensive end Quanzell Lambert suffered season-ending injuries during Saturday’s loss to Iowa.
Coach Chris Ash confirmed Monday that both seniors won’t play again without disclosing the nature of their injuries.
Grant was hurt late in the second quarter after a 76-yard catch and run to the Hawkeyes 3. Cornerback Desmond King stepped on his ankle at the end of the play.
Grant had a hand in six touchdowns this season. The wide receiver ran for three, scored on punt and kickoff returns, and threw a touchdown. He had eight career returns for touchdowns.
Ash said Rutgers would petition the NCAA for a medical redshirt season for Grant, but it might not be granted because he played in four games.
Lambert had six tackles and half a sack before hurting his right leg in the fourth quarter.
“Both starters meant a lot to the team and there wasn’t any one more important than another,” Ash said Monday. “They are both really important. Just next man in, it’s football in general and injuries are part of the game, we all know that. And it’s next man in.”
No one player can replace Grant, who averaged 163.8 all-purpose yards this season.
“But to think we are going to go change our offensive system or defensive system because of injury, that’s not going to happen,” Ash said.
Redshirt junior John Tsimis will replace Grant at receiver and junior Darnell Davis will replace Lambert.
Rutgers visits No. 2 Ohio State this week.
“I was already working on him last week, because he’s dynamic,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said of Grant.
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