An ankle injury suffered on Saturday against The Citadel will mean surgery for defensive end Doug Fulmer, and that surgery means that the redshirt freshman will miss the remaining eight games of the 2006 season, according to Pitt head coach Dave Wannstedt.

"That's really a serious shame," Wannstedt said Monday. "The kid worked so hard to get a starting job and he worked so hard to put himself in position to really have an outstanding year. It's very unfortunate."

Fulmer emerged as a starter during training camp and started the first three games of the season. His only missed start came in the game against The Citadel due to having missed several practices during the week for personal reasons. Through four games, Fulmer recorded six tackles, two for loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries.

"It's a shame for Doug because he has really put the time and effort into it and we'll get him rehabbed and get him back in as quick as we can," Wannstedt said.

In Fulmer's place, redshirt junior Chris McKillop will start at defensive end, beginning with this week's match-up against Toledo.

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