ISU wide receiver Darius Reynolds is out for the remainder of the 2009 season after fracturing his fibula in practice on Tuesday.

Reynolds was examined by doctors on Wednesday, and is scheduled to have surgery on Friday.

“We are saddened by Darius’ injury,” coach Paul Rhoads said in a news release. “We will all work together to give him the best possible support and ensure that he makes a complete recovery.”

Rhoads said Reynolds’ leg was broken on a routine, no-contact play in practice.

Reynolds, a junior college transfer from Woodbridge, Va., had 13 receptions for 72 yards in four games this season.

“We really don’t have game breakers, and Darius was one of them that was capable of being a game breaker, so that we will miss,” Rhoads said after practice on Wednesday. “He had not shown it yet in four games, but he had certainly showed it to us in preseason camp.”

The injury to Reynolds marks the second season-ending leg injury to a Cyclone starter this week. Senior Rashawn Parker is out for the remainder of 2009 after tearing his ACL in the game against Army.

The athletic department is planning on applying for medical hardships from the NCAA, giving the two players another year of eligibility.

Rhoads explained the NCAA rule states that players are eligible for medical hardships during the first three contests or roughly 30 percent of teams’ games.

“We are fortunate that we are going to get an opportunity for both Darius and Rashawn to redshirt,” Rhoads said.

The Cyclones are fortunate with the Reynolds injury that they have good depth at the receiver position, with five other receivers on the roster that had catches in 2008, and six others with catches this season.

One of the top returning pass catchers from 2008, Houston Jones, has yet to see the field this season after dealing with a lingering ankle injury. Jones had 32 catches for 384 yards in 2008.

“Houston had a set back on the same ankle that he finally had got about healthy,” Rhoads said. “He came out and was getting reps and he made the same cut yesterday about 25 times, and the 26th time or so it just sort of rolled on him.

“His ankle is tender but not in the spot that it was tender before.”