ASU Football: Michael Matus season-ending injury, plus other flash notes from practice 8/15

Monday’s ASU football practice took a somber turn during post-practice media availability when head coach Herm Edwards announced that fifth-year defensive end Michael Matus will miss the 2022 season with a torn ACL.

After redshirting in 2018 and earning reserve snaps in 2019, Matus stepped onto the scene as a starter in the shortened 2020 season where he collected 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in four games. He was expected to start at defensive end this season.

Matus says that he will focus on surgery and rehab, and he is not sure if he will return for a sixth season. Travez Moore, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, and Joe Moore will earn more snaps in place of Matus.

Edwards also announced that freshman tight end Jacob Newell will likely miss the season after injuring himself in practice last week.

In the defensive backfield, Timarcus Davis has a bruised knee that he continues to rest, while Jordan Clark limped off the practice field Monday with a leg injury. Edwards said both Davis and Clark will be “fine.”

Messiah Swinson was a full participant in practice for the first time in a week.