Kansas State Wildcats lose another linebacker to a season-ending injury

Another week, another season-ending injury for the Kansas State football team at linebacker.

Bad news is really starting to pile up for the Wildcats at that position on defense.

Head coach Chris Klieman announced on Tuesday that Asa Newsom, a freshman from Waverly, Iowa, suffered an undisclosed injury during the team’s off week and he will sit out the rest of the season with a redshirt.

That injury update came exactly two weeks after Klieman revealed that senior Daniel Green also suffered a season-ending injury, which means K-State will have to play its final eight games without much depth at linebacker.

Newsom showed potential while playing in the first four games of the season for the Wildcats. He saw plenty of action as a reserve and made five tackles, including one for a loss. It looked like he was one of the most promising young players on the entire roster. But his season was cut short because of an injury.

If there is a silver lining to the situation it is that the injury happened before Newsom took the field for Friday’s game against Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium. Because Newsom only appeared in four games this season, instead of five or more, he is allowed to retain his redshirt status without seeking a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA.

Newsom was removed from the K-State depth chart, much like Green was after he began the season by making 13 tackles in three games.

The Wildcats will turn to Desmond Purnell, Austin Romaine and Austin Moore as starting linebackers this week. Tobi Osunsanmi, Beau Palmer and Jake Clifton are expected to also see playing time in reserve roles.