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Kam Robinson Returns From ACL Tear In Virginia's Norfolk State Opener

By JR·1 min read
Kam Robinson Returns From ACL Tear In Virginia's Norfolk State Opener
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Ten months after tearing his ACL against Duke, Virginia linebacker Kam Robinson is finally back on the field tonight against Norfolk State.

  1. Virginia gets its best pass-rushing linebacker back tonight, and it's a big deal for a defense that's missed him all fall. Kam Robinson is set to make his season debut against Norfolk State, capping a comeback that's been in question since he tore his ACL last November.

    Pete Nakos
    Pete Nakos
    @PeteNakos

    Virginia LB Kam Robinson will make his return tonight against Norfolk State. Had been a game-time decision against NC State in Week 0 but will play tonight. Suffered a torn ACL last November. He has 15 career tackles for loss. t.co/2OSYGsvMIo

    Pete Nakos: Virginia LB Kam Robinson will make his return tonight against Norfolk State. Had been a game-time decision against NC St
    On3@On3

    Week 2 College Football injury report📋 Latest on Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Baylor and more injuries heading into game day. View: t.co/VcaRkfPxS4 t.co/VNOKcQORbV

    That stat line from Pete Nakos — 15 career tackles for loss — is the kind of production Virginia's defense has been playing without all season. Robinson had already been a game-time decision back in Week 0 against NC State before the staff pumped the brakes and held him out another week.

    The injury itself was brutal timing. Robinson tore his ACL on Nov. 15, 2025, against Duke, ending a breakout season in which he was second on the team in tackles and had already logged two pick-sixes. A roughly 10-month return is fast for that kind of injury, which is exactly why Virginia has been so deliberate about bringing him back.

    Head coach Tony Elliott has been careful with his language all week, saying the staff plans to "turn him loose" against Norfolk State but stressing they'll be smart about his workload. Part of that caution: this is actually the first time all fall Robinson has taken live, full-contact reps, since he sat out scrimmages during fall camp.

    Robinson enters the year with 199 career tackles, 8 sacks and 5 interceptions, numbers that put him on All-ACC radar before the injury hit. If he looks anything like himself tonight, Virginia's front seven gets a lot scarier — and a lot more complete — heading into ACC play.

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