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Duke LB Kelby Brown tears left ACL again, ending career

FILE - In this file photo from Dec. 7, 2013, Florida State's Jameis Winston (5) scrambles as Duke's Kelby Brown (59) defends in the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship NCAA football game in Charlotte, N.C. The No. 1-ranked Florida State held their final workout on campus Monday, Dec. 30 2013, before flying to California to face No. 2 Auburn in the BCS NCAA college football championship game. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, file)

Duke announced Tuesday that the career of redshirt senior linebacker Kelby Brown has officially come to an end.

Brown suffered a torn left ACL, which will keep him out this season and end his time with the Duke program. Brown will serve as a student assistant for the 2015 season.

"It's difficult to put into words the feeling of heartbreak I have for Kelby and his family," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said in a statement. "While we will certainly miss his athletic abilities and leadership as one of the best linebackers to play at Duke, what is most important above all else is Kelby's health. He is a truly special young man who is destined to accomplish great things in his life. Kelby's strengths lie in his core values, and I know that despite this setback, he will continue to play an integral part of our program's success both on and off the field."

Brown suffered the same injury during the 2014 preseason and it cost him the entire year. He also had two previous knee surgeries on his right knee, including one in February 2012, which caused him to miss the entire 2012 season.

Brown played in 32 career games, with 29 starts, and amassed 242 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 quarterback sacks, 15 QB pressures, two interceptions, six fumble recoveries, three caused fumbles and five PBUs. He was a first team All-ACC selection in 2013.

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