Texas Tech defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard underwent ankle surgery Thursday in Dallas and is expected to miss the rest of the season, sources told ESPN.
Gill-Howard, a Northern Illinois transfer who has been a standout for the No. 7 Red Raiders and one of the top defenses in college football, suffered the injury during their win over Kansas last Saturday. The injury has not been determined to be a season-ending one at this time, sources told ESPN, and there's hope Gill-Howard could return for the postseason.
The 6-foot-1, 290-pound senior has played in six games and has recorded 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception that he returned 55 yards for a touchdown against Kent State. Texas Tech has the No. 1 run defense in FBS at 62.5 rushing yards per game and the No. 6 scoring defense, allowing 12.2 points per game.
Houston transfer A.J. Holmes Jr. is expected to replace Gill-Howard in the starting lineup, sources told ESPN, and Texas Tech coaches are expecting senior backup E'Maurion Banks to play a more significant role going forward.
Meanwhile, Will Hammond is expected to start at quarterback at Arizona State on Saturday, a source told ESPN's Pete Thamel. Starter Behren Morton will be available after battling a leg injury and being limited in practice this week, a source told Thamel.
The Red Raiders are 6-0 for the first time since 2013.
CBS Sports first reported that Gill-Howard is expected to miss significant time.