Maryland defensive end Brett Kulka out for season with knee injury

Maryland redshirt senior defensive end Brett Kulka is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery Monday.

Kulka has spent his fifth year in College Park as a rotational player on Maryland’s defensive line and was an important leader on defense. He recorded seven tackles and half a sack this season, and also recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter in the Terps’ win over now-No. 9 Texas. He did not dress against Michigan after playing in the first four games of the season.

Kulka was a two-star recruit in the Class of 2014 and made the most of his opportunities at Maryland. He cracked the rotation as a redshirt freshman in 2015, and made a combined six starts over the past two seasons. Last year was his most productive year, as he recorded 30 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss.

The loss leaves Maryland with little experience on the depth chart at defensive end. Kulka served as the primary backup to Byron Cowart, and the likely candidates to fill his spot are all true or redshirt freshmen. Lawtez Rogers saw the field for the first time since playing against Bowling Green, and fellow redshirt freshman B’Ahmad Miller is a candidate as well. Although true freshman Durell Nchami is listed as Jesse Aniebonam’s backup on the most recent depth chart, he could line up on the opposite side on occasion.

Kulka is the third Maryland player to undergo season-ending surgery in just under three weeks, with Max Bortenschlager and Lorenzo Harrison III both having their seasons cut short between the Minnesota and Michigan games.

Maryland’s season continues on Saturday when it takes on Rutgers.