Penn State’s defense suffered a huge blow to its 2017 campaign as starting cornerback John Reid suffered a knee injury in spring practice. The rising junior started 16 games in his first two seasons with the program.

Reid will miss significant time and the injury will likely cost him the 2017 season, according to sources. A true junior-to-be, Reid has a redshirt year available to take this fall if that is the case.

Reid recorded 36 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery last fall. He was also the team’s leading punter returner and one of Penn State’s most consistent performers on defense. As a true freshman in 2015 he recorded 29 tackles, a team-leading two interceptions a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He played in 13 games, starting two, including his collegiate debut at Temple.

One of three “starters” at cornerback for the Nittany Lions, Reid was part of a group that includes seniors Grant Haley and Christian Campbell, both of whom project as starters now with Reid on the shelf. Veteran reserves Amani Oruwariye and Desi Davis, as well as freshmen Lamont Wade, Zechariah McPhearson and TJ Johnson fill out the Nittany Lions’ roster at the position.

Three freshman cornerbacks - Maryland product Tariq Castro-Fields, Detroit speedster Donovan Johnson and Atlanta import DJ Brown - will arrive at Penn State this summer.