Penn State's defensive line suffered a blow on Thursday when the school announced that reserve junior defensive end Brad Bars will miss the 2013 season after rupturing an Achilles tendon last week.
Bars, a two-time Big Ten all-academic selection, sustained the injury to his lower right extremity while working out. He'll be operated on within the next several days, and his recovery time should last from four to six months.
The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder was expected to compete for significant playing time at defensive end this fall, though he is listed as the backup to C.J. Olaniyan. He appeared in eight games and had two tackles for the Nittany Lions last season. He'll redshirt this year and hope to return to action in 2014.
His loss will be felt on a team still laboring under the onus of NCAA sanctions.
