Terps DB Denzel Conyers to miss remainder of season with ACL injury

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Terps senior safety Denzel Conyers will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL in Maryland’s 30-24 win at Central Florida Sept. 17.

"Denzel Conyers suffered an injury in the UCF game," Maryland head coach DJ Durkin said during his weekly Tuesday press conference. "He tore his ACL. He’ll be out. He’s having surgery shortly."

Conyers found himself in a three-way battle for two safety spots this offseason and eventually emerged as a starter opposite of sophomore Darnell Savage Jr. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native was having an excellent year for the Terps before his injury and is currently tied for fourth on the team with 13 tackles.

"We feel for Denzel," said Durkin. "He’s a senior who was playing really well for us. He’ll continue to be a great member of our team, but just in a different way now."

Junior Josh Woods will now step in at safety for Maryland and has looked good in his limited action so far this season. Woods has accumulated 11 tackles for the Terps this year and also has a tackle for loss.

Losing Conyers is a big blow to Maryland’s depth in the secondary and overall senior leadership on the field, but safety happens to be one of the most talented positions in College Park, so the Terps hope to not miss a beat.

Besides Woods, true freshman Qwuantrezz Knight will also see an increased role at the safety position due to Conyers’ absence. Knight has been one of the most highly touted first-year players out of fall camp and it will be interesting to see what kind of impact he can make moving forward.

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound Conyers appeared in nine games and totaled 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. His college career has been riddled with injuries, including a fall camp scare where he had to be briefly hospitalized because of a concussion.