Senior Miami LB Raphael Kirby out for season with knee injury

Sep 19, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Brandon Reilly (87) runs against Miami Hurricanes linebacker Raphael Kirby (56) during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Miami has lost leading tackler Raphael Kirby for the remainder of the season with a right knee injury.

The senior linebacker and captain was injured in the Hurricanes' 30-20 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. He is the third Miami linebacker lost this season, joining Darrion Owens (knee) and Marques Gayot (neck) and leaving the Hurricanes extremely thin at that position.

Hurricanes coach Al Golden says Kirby's "commitment to our team and our goals has been unquestioned over his career and he will be sorely missed."

Kirby had a team-best 44 tackles this season for Miami, and had made 19 consecutive starts going back to the beginning of the 2014 season. He was also a preseason candidate for the Butkus Award, which will be given to the nation's top linebacker.

The Hurricanes (4-2, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) play host to No. 6 Clemson (6-0, 3-0) this Saturday.