Sources: Boise State safety DeAndre Pierce out for rest of 2018 with rare injury

Boise State junior safety DeAndre Pierce was an unexpected scratch for the 19-13 loss to San Diego State on Saturday, and he won’t appear in uniform the rest of the season.

Sources have told the Idaho Statesman that Pierce, who was the Broncos’ top tackler in September (23), will not play again in 2018 after he had a spleen laceration occur during the Sept. 29 win at Wyoming. He spoke to the media after that game, but symptoms showed up after the game. He was on the Broncos’ sideline in sweats Saturday.

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Pierce started the first four games. However, since he played immediately as a true freshman, he will be able to use a redshirt for this season and play in 2019 as a redshirt junior. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder has started 16 games in his Boise State career.

Redshirt freshman Tyreque Jones replaced Pierce in the starting lineup alongside junior Kekoa Nawahine against the Aztecs. Jones had four tackles Saturday, and has 10 stops on the season, plus a forced fumble.

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Boise State coach Bryan Harsin did not address Pierce’s injury at his weekly availability last Monday and Thursday, and following the San Diego State loss said he would speak about it this coming Monday. That is often when he comments on injuries that are season-ending. The Broncos play at Nevada at 8:30 p.m. MT Saturday on CBS Sports Network.

This story was originally published October 7, 2018 at 5:50 PM.