Luckett tears ACL, out for year

Virginia Tech's Zach Luckett, a key special-teams player, will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee during Saturday's season-ending 42-13 win at Virginia.

Luckett suffered the injury during a kickoff in the first half of the game against the Cavaliers.

He played the Hokies' special-teams units and was a head hunter on the punt-coverage team. The two head hunters on the coverage unit are typically the first players down the field. Luckett was among Virginia Tech's special-teams tackles leaders.

Luckett will have surgery in four to six weeks and will miss spring practice. The missed time will hinder his ability to compete for playing time at the third linebacker position, which will be vacated with the graduation of starter Cody Grimm and backup Cam Martin.

A wide receiver until this season, Luckett was suspended last year after being arrested for driving under the influence. It was the second such charge for Luckett, who turned 21 on Dec. 8, 2008; he was convicted and served five days in jail. He rejoined the Hokies in August a walk-on.