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Ouch.
It's not the update
— Jason Arkley (@JasonAmessenger) August 23, 2012#BobcatNation wanted, but it's the one they're getting. CB Travis Carrie will get surgery on shoulder, miss 2012 season
Carrie was on Phil Steele's first team All-MAC preseason list and one of five MAC players on the inaugural Senior Bowl watch list (PDF). The Bobcats' top-ranked secondary takes a shot but with enough depth they should still be one of the top pass coverage units in the MAC.
But in an overall perspective, you could make an argument that Carrie and Khalil Mack were in position to be the top two defensive players in the conference. At least the best players in the back seven.
Now with Mack's future currently in football purgatory, and Carrie in bandages until 2013 (Arkley says the senior has the option of petitioning for a medical redshirt, which he oughta be able to get should he want one), who's the best defender left? Roosevelt Nix? Dwayne Woods? It's not like defense is the MAC's strong suit, so this definitely thins the ranks at the top.