CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) Illinois defensive back Tony Adams underwent season-ending shoulder surgery Illini coach Lovie Smith announced Tuesday. Adams suffered the injury two weeks ago at Iowa and didn’t play this past Saturday against Rutgers.
Adams appeared in five games for the Illini and had eight tackles, one sack and one interception. He also became the first true freshman cornerback to start in the season opener in over a decade.
Smith also said that linebacker Tre Watson underwent knee surgery on Tuesday. Watson is second on the team in total tackles with 45 and also has one interception and one fumble recovery. Smith didn’t rule Watson out for the season, but also didn’t offer a timetable for his return.
Watson’s injury adds to a litany of ailments that have struck Illinois’ linebacker unit this season. Jack Hansen tore his ACL back in training camp, and Julian Jones, Del’Shawn Phillips, Dele Harding and Ayo Shogbonyo were all injured against the Scarlet Knights.
Smith said that their statuses are unclear for the remaining practices of the week and Saturday’s road game at Minnesota.