It was announced on Wednesday that Jenkins underwent surgery on Tuesday.

"After waiting and rehabbing Jenkins' left knee injury from the spring game, April 29, it became apparent that the patellar stability - kneecap - was not enough to play football at his level of ability effectively," read a WVU release attributed to trainer Dave Kerns.

"The MCL - medial collateral ligament - injury healed nicely, but there still remained concern. Therefore, Jenkins underwent successful surgery, Tuesday, July 5, by Dr. Bal at Ruby Hospital, to tighten the medial [big toe side] patellar retinaculum to help better track the patella for its normal function. Jenkins remains in a leg brace for six weeks, then will regain strength and slowly regain any residual lost motion due to the immobilization period.

"At the appropriate time, he will begin the back-to-run/play-progression, which all totaled will be six months from surgery until fully healed and strong enough to play football. He should be fully participatory for winter training and then spring football. He is entitled to medical hardship the 2011 season and return for senior year 2012."

Linebackers were the talk of a media gathering with West Virginia football players on Wednesday.

A specific hot topic was how the loss of redshirt sophomore Branko Busick will affect a Mountaineer defense already suffering from graduation losses.

On Tuesday, WVU coach Dana Holgorsen dismissed Busick for a violation of team rules. The player was charged with armed robbery by Morgantown police after an incident at an apartment building.

Busick wasn't listed as a starter on the most recent WVU depth chart, but he was expected to be a key contributor at middle linebacker. Busick was listed No. 2 at the position behind Najee Goode. A couple of his former teammates said Wednesday the loss of Busick's services will definitely hurt.

"Busick had a fire, you know what I'm saying?" said weak-side linebacker Josh Francis. "Branko is a great person who got into some things that were unfortunate.

"Him leaving is going to hurt us at times at the Mike spot. But we do have a lot of freshmen that can step up and we have a lot of freshmen that want to learn. These freshmen coming in want to learn."

"I love Branko to death," added strong-side linebacker Doug Rigg. "He was real cool with us in the locker room. It's a real sad blow. Plus, it does destroy our depth because we don't have that many people that have experience. He's a guy who was around for going on three years. Losing Branko is a loss, but we'll have to move on and see who can fill in the spot."

Rigg expanded on the subject.

"We have other middle linebackers, like Jewone [Snow] and that new kid Steve [Paskorz] that came from Notre Dame," he said. "But Steve is completely new to this defense. He's going to have to pick it up in one summer, basically - which is very tough. And Jewone didn't play last year either. He was a redshirt [freshman] so he doesn't have that much experience."

Rigg might be able to help out in a pinch at Mike with Donovan Miles and Tyler Anderson behind him at Will.

"If [defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel] needs me to play middle linebacker, I can play," Rigg said. "But I think I'm better outside. He thinks I can play inside, so we'll see."

The differences?

"Inside is much harder when you play the run," Rigg said. "You have the big guys in there and you have to see over them. Outside, you have a better view. Against the pass, inside is easier. You basically have a run and pass difference."

There's been a buzz about Francis since spring drills. Most of the buzz is because of his speed at the weak-side position. The problem is, the junior college transfer has had trouble picking up Casteel's odd stack defense.

"In the spring, you get put right into the situation," Francis said. "You have to learn the defense. And there are high expectations because I'm a junior. But this defense, this 3-3-5, is so complex.

"The linebackers are the core of the defense. Everything is run off us. So when you come in, it can be pretty frustrating. But now, in the summer time, it's a lot easier for me. It's coming faster to me."

"He's grown tremendously," Rigg said of Francis. "He has the raw tools to be a great player. He's very fast. He's athletic. He has things you can't teach. Even Coach Casteel said, 'I can't teach that.' He just has it. When he picks up everything, it's going to be really scary what he can do with this defense.

"Athletically, I've never seen a linebacker like him. It's great to have him on our defense."

Rigg smiled.

"I kind of wish I had his freakish natural ability."

Francis has not only had to learn WVU's defense, but adapt to the rigors of summer workouts in Morgantown rather than those of a junior college.

"It's a lot different," Francis said. "Everything is at a faster pace. As far as lifting goes, it's every day. It was every other day at junior college."

The player said he's received a ton of help.

"I feel a lot more confident," Francis said. "My first step, my run reads ... I have safeties behind me, encouraging to keep watching film. They let me know where to go. Terence [Garvin] does a good job with that. [Linebacker] Najee [Goode] helps me out a lot; so does [cornerback] Keith Tandy."

Francis said the help will pay off.

"Spring ball was like the primer on a car," he said. "I feel like coming out of summer, when Coach Casteel gets back, he'll provide the finishing coat, smooth everything out. I should hit everything running from there."

WVU has a fine tradition at linebacker, but this season at least two of the three spots will be filled with first-time starters.

Rigg isn't concerned.

"Coach Casteel is a great coach," he said. "Even though we have little experience, we can get it done. We have the size; we have the talent. It makes it easier that we have a great defensive line with Bruce [Irvin] and them. We're just trying to do our part and be effective."

Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle.