Tolando Cleveland Injury: Updates on Mississippi State CB's Knee and Recovery

Mississippi State cornerback Tolando Cleveland will miss the entire 2016 season due to a torn ACL, according to Ben Wait of the Commercial Dispatch.

Continue for updates.

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Bulldogs Lose Veteran in Secondary

Wednesday, Aug. 24

After losing Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond to graduation, Mississippi State was counting on Cleveland to take on a major role during his senior season. The 6'0", 190-pound cornerback became a starter toward the end of the 2015 season and has played in 38 of 39 games in his three-year career. 

Unfortunately, he won't get a chance to play a down in 2016 after tearing his ACL before Week 1.

Cedric Jiles will also miss the start of the year after breaking his arm. The fellow senior explained earlier in the month that he and Cleveland were projected to be starters, per Wait.

Cleveland is coming off a solid junior season, finishing with 42 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and three passes defended. He has two career interceptions with the Bulldogs.

With the senior out of the picture, Mississippi State will have to rely upon younger players such as junior Lashard Durr and sophomore Chris Rayford.

Bob Carskadon of HailState.com noted Jamal Peters and Maurice Smitherman could also change positions from safety to add some depth at cornerback.

No matter what the team decides, there won't be a lot of time to prepare before the Sept. 3 season opener against South Alabama. 

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