Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas tells fans 'i WILL be back better then ever' after suffering long-term injury

Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas took to social media on Thursday to share a positive message after news broke on Wednesday that the junior had suffered a long-term injury.

“i WILL be back better then ever.. got my brothers any day of the week,” Rojas wrote on Instagram (click here to see it) along with numerous photos of him and his Penn State teammates. He posted a similar picture collage to Twitter, and wrote: “money on these guys anyday of the week and any weekend of the year”

See the tweet here.

Blue-White Illustrated was first to report on Wednesday that the junior is set to miss significant time with an undisclosed setback. Through four games, he was among the defense’s leader in snaps and was second in tackles with 35. The Virginia native’s 4. 5 tackles for loss were tied for a team-high with teammate and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. The duo were also tied with a team-high two sacks through the September portion of the Penn State schedule.

“Obviously, not good,” Lions coach James Franklin said when asked about how the last couple of days have been for Rojas. “Personally, disappointment, and then disappointment with the team, as well. Guys will rally around him and support him like we’ve done in the past. This isn’t the first time we’ve been through something like this. And, he’s not the last player to go through something like this.

“The hardest part is the initial shock of it and the initial news of it. But, the next guy is going to have to step up. And the sooner that Tony can get involved in helping prepare those guys, the better we’ll be and the better he’ll be, because it will keep him busy and engaged, too.”

More: What’s the Penn State travel plan for UCLA, and will James Franklin recruit in LA?

Without Rojas, veteran Nittany Lion Dom DeLuca will have a bigger role in Jim Knowles’ defense. And, Penn State will hope that a mix of veteran and young linebackers will step up. That group includes Keon Wylie, DaKaari Nelson, Anthony Speca, Cam Smith, and Alex Tatsch.

“Obviously, Dom will step into [Rojas’] role, and obviously, we’re having discussions about greenlighting possibly both [Alex] Tatsch and Cam [Smith],” Franklin said Wednesday. “What’s helpful is, we’ve had these Sunday [scout team] scrimmages, so we’ve had a chance to evaluate those guys each week. Early on, Tatsch was getting a little bit more time with the varsity. We’re giving Cam an opportunity now, as well, bouncing those guys back and forth between the d-squad and varsity.

“They’re going to have an opportunity. This is how it is in college football. One of those guys will hopefully get some work this week. We’ll get a chance to evaluate them during practice. And then hopefully some of those guys will get an opportunity during the game on Saturday.”