Texas A&M safety Armani Watts to miss Belk Bowl due to rib injury, per report

Texas A&M Aggies will play Wake Forest in the Belk Bowl without its best defensive player.

Aggies safety Armani Watts will miss the Belk Bowl on Friday, due to a rib injury, according to Brent Zwerneman of The Houston Chronicle. Watts, a senior, will see his A&M career end as a result of the injury.

Watts was a mainstay in the Aggies’ secondary this season, recording 82 tackles and four interceptions along with five passes defended and three forced fumbles. For his efforts, he was named first team All-Southeastern Conference and third team Associated Press All-American.

Freshman Keldrick Carper is Watts’ top backup. Carper has recorded 22 tackles (12 solo) and one pass defended in seven games this season.

The Aggies (7-5) kick off at 1 p.m. EST Friday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, against the Demon Deacons (7-5). A&M will be going for its fourth consecutive 8-5 season.

Jeff Banks will serve as the Aggies interim head coach for the game after they fire Kevin Sumlin following the regular season. A&M hired Jimbo Fisher from Florida State earlier this month to replace Sumlin. He will take over the Aggies after the bowl game.