Sept. 18, 2008

RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech head coach Derek Dooley announced Thursday that senior wide receiver Josh Wheeler has been medically disqualified and will not suit up again for the Bulldogs.

LA Tech team doctors medically disqualified Wheeler due to multiple concussions suffered during the Texarkana, Texas, native's high school and collegiate career, including the most recent one which occurred during the Bulldog bye week last week.

"While we are obviously sorry Josh's football career is over, his personal health is much more important than any football game we will ever play," Dooley said Thursday.

Wheeler had caught four passes for 63 yards this season, including a career-high tying three in Tech's loss at Kansas Sept. 6.

The 6-foot-4-inch Wheeler ends his Tech career with 38 career receptions for 750 yards and six touchdowns.

Dooley also announced the senior linebacker Nolan Darby and freshman defensive end Eric Harper would both miss this weekend's game against Southeastern Louisiana due to injuries.

Darby has registered 10 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss, while Harper has played in both games but has yet to register a tackle.