Rush loses top linebacker for the season

All-Arena linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo will not play the rest of the season for the Chicago Rush due to a ruptured biceps tendon.

"It's a tremendous loss," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "He is a great competitor and no one in the league plays the Jack linebacker position the way he does. However, we believe we have enough talent and depth to overcome his loss and make a run at another championship."

Alfonzo suffered the injury while making a tackle in last week's game at Cleveland. He will undergo surgery at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital next week.

"Approximately six weeks after his surgery, DeJuan will begin a rehabilitation program to get ready for next season," said Rush physician Raj Khanna, M.D. "His total recovery, including rehab, will take about six to eight months, but we fully expect DeJuan will be healthy and ready to play in time for the start of the 2009 season."

One of the keys to the Rush defense that has been ranked atop the AFL for the last two seasons, Alfonzo recorded 80 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 passes broken up and recovered 4 fumbles in 14 games this season.

Alfonzo was a First Team All-Arena selection at linebacker in 2007, recording a career-high 93 tackles, 6 interceptions, 6 fumbles recovered and 4 fumbles forced. He set an AFL record by scoring 5 defensive touchdowns, and tied an AFL record by recovering six fumbles.