Most Penn athletes view their senior year as their time to shine.
For some, it means finally stepping in to contribute after riding the bench for three years. For others, it means becoming a leader and mentor for younger teammates.
But for Penn senior running back Von Bryant, his senior season ended after just one game.
In the week leading up to the Quakers' matchup with Villanova, Penn coach Al Bagnoli said that Bryant had left the team. He did not disclose any reason for the senior running back's departure at that time.
It has since been revealed that Bryant suffered an injured shoulder against Duquesne and that he may need surgery in the near future.
"Right now I am injured," Bryant said in an e-mail. "I have damage to my left shoulder and may require surgery.
"I am not physically able to play right now."
In Penn's victory over the Dukes, Bryant carried the ball eight times for 39 yards.
The only time in his Penn career that Bryant ran for more than that was in his Quakers debut against San Diego last season, when he carried the ball five times for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Bryant transferred to Penn from Duke after his freshman season with the Blue Devils. At Washington Township High School, the Turnersvile, N.J., native was ranked 70th nationwide among running backs by Rivals100.com.
At Penn, Bryant served as a backup running back, and he also played on the special teams as a kick returner.
What was supposed to be Bryant's swan song turned into a one-game effort and a disappointing, premature end to his Quakers career.
While it is possible that Bryant could stay next year -- by NCAA rules, he will still have an additional year of eligibility -- Bryant declined to comment further on his departure from Penn football.
Bryant's injury occurred nearly simultaneously with senior running back Sam Mathews' shoulder injury as well as senior defensive back Adam Francks' injured hip.
Mathews was above Bryant on the depth chart at running back, and Francks also served as a kick returner for Penn's special teams, meaning that if Bryant had remained healthy, his playing time likely would have increased.
