RALEIGH -- Cornerback Mike Stevens suffered a leg injury earlier this month and will miss the season opener against South Carolina, Joe Giglio of the News & Observer is reporting. The injury still has not be confirmed by NC State officials, but is expected to cost Stevens more than just the season opener against the Gamecocks.

Stevens, a senior defensive back, was entering his second season as a full-time starter after earning the starting nod for all 12 regular season games last year. That came after he lined up as the starter for 10 games as a sophomore, making him the most experienced player in the Wolfpack secondary.

This isn't the first leg injury for Stevens, however, as he missed the Independence Bowl due to a separate leg injury. Stevens also played more snaps (805) than any Pack player in 2016 despite not playing in the bowl game.

One of the biggest plays of Stevens' career, of course, came against Clemson when he picked off Deshaun Watson and returned it for a touchdown. It was the first time in Watson's career any player had accomplished the feat.

With Stevens going down due to injury, the lone corner with a start is now now Nick McCloud -- who started for Stevens in the Independence Bowl. McCloud finished that game with seven tackles and two passes defensed, which were both career highs for the rising sophomore.

As for who will take over Stevens' spot to start the season, that battle is still up in the air. Former wide receiver Johnathan Alston redshirted last season while making the transition to cornerback, earning 2016 Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year. Dave Doeren has glowed about Alston's development this offseason, but filling Stevens' shoes won't be easy.

Senior Nicholas Lacy might also be thrust into action after only seeing action on special teams during his career. There's also the possibility of James Valdez seeing time on the field after redshirting his freshman season.

Regardless of who steps into the role, the loss of Stevens is a major one for the Wolfpack. With the season opener less than one week away, South Carolina possesses one of the best wide receivers in the country in Deebo Samuel, a preseason All-SEC selection, so the pressure on McCloud or Alston will be high.