Duke's Bryon Fields out for season with torn ACL

Duke cornerback Bryon Fields will miss the 2015 season after suffering a torn right anterior cruciate ligament during practice Tuesday, the team announced.

"The cruelest element of college football - and for all of college athletics - is injury, and we certainly feel heartbreak at this time for Bryon and his family," head coach David Cutcliffe said Wednesday in a statement on the team's website. "I have all the confidence in the world in Bryon's dedication and perseverance to overcome this obstacle. The challenge for a football team to lose a player with Bryon's ability and experience is significant, but it's one we'll embrace."

A sophomore, Fields was a projected starter for the Blue Devils and has recorded 112 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback sack, one interception, one fumble recovery, and eight pass breakups in 27 career games.

Duke's head team physician will handle the required surgery.