NC State has lost their quarterback. Devin Leary underwent surgery Tuesday after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. An MRI confirmed that there is no damage to the shoulder joint.
Leary left the game against the Seminoles late in the third quarter last weekend after taking a hit from DL Joshua Former. It drew a roughing the passer penalty.
The pectoral is a flat muscle in the upper chest that connects the chest to the shoulder and upper arm. It is very involved in the throwing motion of a quarterback, making it a difficult injury to play through. While the team reported that his shoulder is ok, this could actually be an injury to the tendon that attaches the muscle to bone in the shoulder. That means the structures of the shoulder, such as the labrum and rotator cuff, are unaffected, but his shoulder is somewhat involved.
Leary was considered a mid-round NFL draft prospect. The injury may end up affecting his decision to turn pro or return for a sixth year. It may come down to how his recovery is going and how much time it takes. Realistically he won’t be cleared to throw for 3-4 months, and he won’t be 100% recovered by the Combine.
Jack Chambers got the start in Leary’s place against Syracuse. It’s a definite downgrade from Leary. NC State is barely in the top 25, and without Leary under center they will have a hard time holding onto that ranking.
