(September 10) MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia linebacker Gary Stills will miss four to six weeks with a fractured kneecap suffered in the loss to Ohio State.
Although a serious blow to 20th-ranked WVU's defense, Wednesday's announcement is better than the season-ending scenario coach had Don Nehlen feared.
Doctors had drawn blood from Stills' left knee and X-rays showed a crack in the same kneecap Stills broke last year. The injury won't need surgery, WVU officials said.
Stills played with injuries during much of the 1997 season when he sprained a knee, broke his thumb and broke the kneecap. An All Big-East selection a year ago, Stills had two sacks and a pass breakup in the loss to Ohio State.
Should Stills return in six weeks, he likely will miss the Maryland, Tulsa, Temple and Navy games. He could return in time for WVU's game against Miami on Oct. 24.