Lovie Smith announced Tuesday that junior wide receiver Trevon Sidney will miss the rest of the year after season-ending surgery. The news was first reported by The News-Gazette. Sidney transferred to Illinois from USC in April. The graduate-transfer had 16 catches for 123 yards in five games this season. Sidney had two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening win over Akron.

Sidney sustained the leg injury during Illinois' 40-17 loss to Minnesota. Sidney had hauled in five catches for 50 yards against the Golden Gophers before he got injured. Sidney will still have one more year of eligibility remaining.

“I just felt needed, felt wanted,” Sidney told Illini Inquirer in August. “I felt like there’s a bigger role here, and I wanted to put myself in the biggest role I can put myself in. This was the best opportunity for me.”

The injury opens the door for Donny Navarro and Dominic Stampley to get more playing time in the slot.Stampley has nine catches for 101 yards this season. Navarro busted free for a long touchdown against Wisconsin on Saturday.

"He’s been just solid ever since he’s been here," Illini offensive coordinator Rod Smith said. "Unfortunately, he was ineligible last year. He was one of the top-four guys last year at times. He’s been solid for us. He’s not the fastest, not the biggest, but he’s the steadiest. There’s something to be said about it. He showed a little burst on that gear. That dude didn’t catch him. I was hoping he’d kick it in a little bit faster and not get caught. We’re ecstatic about his play and hopefully, he can build off it."