Ticats defensive tackle Brian Bulcke will miss the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL, head coach Kent Austin announced today.
Bulcke was injured during a one-on-one drill during training camp on June 3 and while the initial diagnosis indicated there was no significant damage, a subsequent examination revealed that the six-year veteran has a torn ACL in his left knee that will require surgery. The recovery time is usually between nine and 12 months.
It’s the second straight year that Bulcke has suffered a season-ending injury after tearing his bicep and missing the final eight games on 2014. The 28-year-old is slated to become a free agent after this season.
“We feel horrible for Brian because he really worked hard to come back and it’s just bad luck,” head coach Kent Austin said. “He’s an unbelievable person and one of the leaders on our team. He’ll bounce back.”
There was more bad news. Defensive back Johnny Sears, who had been taking first team reps most of the week at the boundary halfback spot, and running back Nic Grigsby were the latest prominent players to sit out with injury. With C.J. Gable out with a hand injury and Mossis Madu out of the year with a shoulder that requires surgery, the Ticats are now missing their top three running backs from last season.