NC State injury update: Key Wolfpack defensive starter cleared for activities
An N.C. State defender finally got back on the practice field this week, head coach Dave Doeren announced on Monday.
Safety Devan Boykin was recently cleared to practice after missing 11 months due to an ACL injury. He sustained the injury in December during Pop-Tarts Bowl preparation.
“We’re getting him on the field, getting his feet (wet). This is the first week of that,” Doeren said ahead of the team’s Thursday-night game at Georgia Tech. “It’s gonna take some time, so day-to-day, I guess, would be the right way to say it. He will not play in this game, but it’s exciting to have him back on the field.”
Boykin finished the 2023 season with three interceptions and 54 tackles, fourth-highest on the team. He finished with a career-high 11 tackles in the team’s loss against No. 10 Notre Dame.
The graduate student has notched 112 career tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions, one forced fumble and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
N.C. State hoped to have Boykin available in October, but his rehabilitation took longer than expected.
“(I) can’t really give you a date on that, because every month we kind of reassess where guys are at as they get to this stage of the ACL recovery,” Doeren said in September.
The Wolfpack has relied on Bishop Fitzgerald, KJ Martin, DK Kaufman and Renté Hinton in his absence.
Doeren complimented Boykin’s patience during the recovery process.
“He’s not doing a lot yet, but he’s gone through the entire rehab process,” Doeren said. “He’s busted his butt. He’s had a great attitude. Still baby steps. It’s a long process and the last thing you want to do is rush it.”
