Penn State starting linebacker Tony Rojas will be sidelined long term with an unspecified injury sustained in practice this week.

Rojas, a junior from Fairfax, Virginia, is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 4.5 and ranks second with 25 tackles. He became a starter last season, finishing with 58 tackles, six tackles for loss and three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown in a College Football Playoff first-round win against SMU .

Penn State did not specify how long Rojas will be out.

Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said Wednesday that senior Dom DeLuca will see increased playing time in Rojas' absence, and the staff is discussing how to possibly use freshmen Cam Smith and Alex Tatsch .

"What's helpful is we have these Sunday scrimmages, so we've had a

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