Mel Tucker announces Darius Snow out for season, provides injury update on Xavier Henderson

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker provided two important injury updates Monday regarding two of his defensive starters in linebacker Darius Snow and safety Xavier Henderson, who both went down with injuries in the second quarter in Saturday’s game versus Western Michigan and never returned.

Tucker said Snow will be out for the remainder of the season, as he was seen with a brace on his right knee and crutches for the second quarter of their game Saturday.

“I feel terribly for him. he worked hard and was playing at a high level,” Tucker said regarding Snow.

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The nature or severity of Henderson’s injury was unclear, as Tucker didn’t give any specific details regarding his injury, but did sound optimistic that he will make a return for the Spartans this year.

Tucker said Henderson, “is sore, so we’ll just have to see how he comes along with his treatment. But he’ll be ready when he’s ready.”

The Spartans face Akron at home in their Week 2 matchup Saturday, September 10 at 4 p.m.

More on Snow and Henderson

The loss of Darius Snow is a big one for the Spartans, as he made starts at the nickelback and safety positions last season before moving into the starting linebacker role this year. Snow was one of the most versatile players on the Spartan defense last year, starting the final nine games of the season last year for Michigan State and ranking third on the team with 87 tackles. T

he Frisco, Texas native played a total of 650 snaps on defense and 191 on special teams last year. Linebackers Cal Haladay and Ben VanSumeren filled in for Snow Saturday after he left the game, recording ten and a team high eleven tackles.

The Spartans would like to get senior captain Xavier Henderson back as quick as possible as well, as he leads all active Spartan players in career tackles with 235. Henderson was one of the most productive players on Michigan State’s defense last season tied for the team lead in tackles with 96, tied for second on the team in tackles for loss with ten, and ranked second on the team with 992 snaps on defense.

Henderson has been an iron man for Michigan State, and him missing their next game versus Akron would be meaningful, as it would break his current streak of 33 consecutive starts for the Spartans.