Toledo's T.J. Fatinikun out for the season

9/29/2012

KALAMAZOO, Mich. --- All Mid-American Conference defensive end T.J. Fatinikun is expected to miss the rest of his senior season with a lower leg injury he suffered Saturday in University of Toledo's 37-17 win at Western Michigan.

This is the second year in a row an injury wiped out the second half of the season for the Perrysburg graduate. Fatinikun missed the final seven games in 2011 after hurting his elbow.

Coach Matt Campbell won't reveal specifics of the injury until more testing is conducted. Based on Fatinikun appearing in more than 30 percent of his team's games, he is not eligible for a medical hardship waiver. Thus, his college career appears to be over.

"We're waiting on a final call on that before we announce what it is," Campbell said. "But it's a lower leg injury and we'll find out exactly what that is and be able to document it. But it does look like he'll be out for the year."

Fatinikun, a two-time All MAC selection, finishes the year with 10 tackles and one sack.

"You don't know why these things happen," Campbell said. "I told T.J. it won't define him. I think one of the great things about T.J. Fatinikun is his leadership and his ability to respond. If I know T.J. Fatinikun, he'll respond to this as well."