Nittany Lion Sean Lee out for season

By Jeff Rice

Penn State linebacker Sean Lee will miss the 2008 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Friday’s practice.

Team physician Wayne Sebastianelli confirmed the injury Saturday afternoon, adding that Lee, a second-team All-Big Ten selection last year, is expected to undergo surgery within the next 2-4 weeks and faces a nine-month rehabilitation process. The third-year junior will more than likely redshirt the 2008 season and play as a fifth-year senior in 2009.

Walking with the occasional assistance of crutches, Lee watched Penn State’s practice and scrimmage in Beaver Stadium from the sidelines with a long, heavy brace on his right leg.

He talked with teammates, gestured with the crutches and signed autographs for coaches after the scrimmage.

“I have a responsibility to the team to help do everything I can this year in what might be a non-conventional way,” Lee said in a statement delivered to reporters. “I have to turn this into a positive. It’s a bump in the road. I’m excited about the team we have and the kind of season we can have. It’s a great opportunity for a young guy.”

The 6-foot-3, 234-pound Lee, a Pittsburgh native, was a starter at outside linebacker in both of the last two seasons. He has 239 career tackles and, at his current pace, would finish among Penn State’s all-time top three.

A preseason candidate for several top awards, including the Butkus and Bednarik, Lee was expected to be named a team captain this spring, and still could be.