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Cal announced today that two members of its freshmen class, defensive tackle Jonathan Giesel and running back Pana Faumuina, had suffered injuries in the last two weeks and would be lost for the season. Both are eligible to apply for medical redshirt status and are expected to return in full health next fall as redshirt-freshmen.  

Giesel suffered an injury to his tendon in his right arm, near his elbow, during the Illinois game. He attempted to play at Fresno State, but a decision was made early this week to repair the tendon surgically. That surgery is scheduled next Tuesday at Alta Bates hospital. He will undergo a three-to-five month rehabilitation period and hopes to be recovered to participate in spring drills next April.  

Giesel was a key member of Cal’s playing rotation at defensive tackle, having been credited with 2 tackles on the season. His absence will increase the playing time of redshirt-freshman Josh Beckham, who has played extensively the first three games including a starting assignment in front of Daniel Nwangwu last week. Derek Deutsch will also get a bigger opportunity at a tackle position.  

Faumuina aggravated an existing shoulder injury on Tuesday of this week during contact drills. The medical staff was already planning on correcting the shoulder instability at the end of this season, but the new injury caused the staff to move forward on the decision to surgically repair the shoulder immediately. Faumuina is expected to be back in time to participate in spring drills.  

“We believe both Jonathan and Pana have bright futures at Cal,” said head coach Tom Holmoe. “We’re sorry that they won’t be able to help us this year, but the bright side is that they’ve gotten their feet wet and they’ll be back next year with four full seasons of eligibility. That’s a big advantage for them.”  

Holmoe also indicated that sophomore tight end Terrence Dotsy will almost certainly redshirt this season. The 6-4, 280-pounder has a redshirt year to utilize and thus would return next season as a sophomore again with three full years of eligibility. He has been hampered by a hand injury most of the early-season.