Two days after announcing that defensive end Joe Vellano would miss the rest of spring practice, Maryland coach Randy Edsall revealed that another veteran Terps defender is headed to the sideline.
Darin Drakeford, a senior linebacker from Washington, "won't be out there now for the rest of spring," Edsall said in a YouTube video posted Monday night. "He's got some things he's got to take care of academically."
Drakeford, who missed four games last fall with an ankle injury, was Maryland's fourth-leading tackler in 2011 with 68 stops. He was listed as the starter at the WILL linebacker on Edsall's pre-spring depth chart. Junior Marcus Whitfield and sophomore Clarence Murphy were listed behind Drakeford on the depth chart. Whitfield had 11 tackles in eight games last fall, while Murphy contributed three stops in two games.
Maryland's depth at linebacker this spring had already been hurt by injuries to Alex Twine and Cole Farrand, presumed starters who played as true freshmen last fall. Twine returned to the Terps during a scrimmage Saturday, while Edsall said he doesn't think Farrand will return this week.
Edsall said Vellano will be "rechecked by the doctor on Friday," but that the senior's foot injury should be a "four-to-six-week-type recovery." Vellano is on crutches and in a walking boot.
Senior wide receiver Kerry Boykins was the only other injured player mentioned by Edsall. The Terps coach said he hoped that "maybe next week" Boykins would be back in action.
