JONESBORO — Injuries continue to mount for Arkansas State's rebuilt defense.
Defensive tackle Robert Mondie will miss ASU's home game Saturday against Idaho and maybe more with a knee injury suffered in last Saturday's 37-7 loss at Toledo, Coach Blake Anderson said.
Mondie, who had nine tackles, including two for a loss in four games this season, received an injection Monday, Anderson said, and a decision for surgery will be made in two to three weeks. If surgery is required, Mondie's season will be over.
"It's a medial tear of some kind," Anderson said Monday. "It is possible that he's done for the year and that it does require surgery, but this was the first step toward that. That's normally a two- to three-week evaluation process. But I would expect to be without him for that time period of time."
Mondie is the third starter to be injured on a defense that entered this season with five new starters. Safety Bo Sentimore suffered an ankle injury in a Sept. 12 loss to Missouri, and linebacker Tajhea Chambers tore an ACL in that game. Both of those injuries required season-ending surgery, too.
"I think we're lucky enough to be deeper than we were year ago," Anderson said.
Anderson also said that the return of quarterback Fredi Knighten is not yet clear. Anderson listed Knighten as "day-to-day" Monday, after the senior from Little Rock has missed the last two games with a pulled groin.
Anderson said last Monday that he expected Knighten to play in last week's loss to Toledo. Knighten took part in pregame warmups but never played while freshman James Tabary threw three interceptions and was sacked six times.
Anderson said Knighten was scheduled to be re-evaluated again Monday, and a decision could be made by Wednesday.
If Knighten isn't ready for Saturday's 6 p.m. Sun Belt Conference opener, Anderson said Tabary will start again.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.