CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia linebacker Kam Robinson’s torn ACL will require season-ending surgery, coach Tony Elliott announced Tuesday, robbing the Cavaliers of their top defensive player going into their annual rivalry game against Virginia Tech.

UVA can clinch a spot in the ACC championship game with a win over the Hokies, but will have to do it without their most dynamic playmaker on defense.

“Unfortunately for Kam, got some bad news on his knee,” Elliott said. “He’s done for the rest of the season but really grateful for all that he did to help the team get to this point and I’m sure the guys are going to rally around him and support him.”

Robinson suffered a torn ACL in the first half of the Cavaliers’ 34-17 win at Duke on Nov. 15. Without him, the Cavaliers will lean on juniors Landon Danley and Maddox Marcellus.

A third junior, Caleb Hardy, could also see time, as could senior Trey McDonald, who has been a special teams performer this year.

UVA played the first three games of its season without Robinson, who was dealing with a fractured collarbone. Over the next seven games, Robinson amassed 64 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

While Robinson was out, Danley recorded 18 tackles in the first three games. He got the bulk of the work when Robinson left the Duke game, totaling six stops.

“It’s slowed down for him. He understands the process of preparation through the week,” Elliott said of Danley. “His keys are becoming a little more known to him. You’ve seen the maturity and growth from that standpoint.”

Robinson ranks second on the team in tackles, behind only safety Devin Neal (66).

Fellow linebacker James Jackson is third with 50 stops.

“It’s the next guy up,” Jackson, a senior, said. “We got a group of guys in the linebacker room who prepare like they’re going to play every week. You have to be ready to play. You have to be ready to step up and take advantage of the opportunity. It’s big shoes to fill. … I think we’ve known from the beginning of the year that we’re a deep group. Kam’s an incredible player. You can’t replace that. But we have guys with different strengths and guys who can help in different ways.”