Buffalo linebacker Kiko Alonso likely out for season with knee injury

Buffalo Bills linebacker Kiko Alonso has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and “most likely” will miss the entire 2014 season, the team announced Wednesday.

“He will be scheduled for surgery in the near future and begin a rehabilitation program at the appropriate time,” Bills General Manager Doug Whaley said in a statement released by the team. “We feel badly for Kiko because he has worked very hard this offseason in preparation for the upcoming season, but we look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the league’s outstanding rookies in 2013.”

The Bills have not disclosed precisely how Alonso sustained the injury.

A former University of Oregon standout, Alonso finished second in defensive rookie-of-the-year voting last season. He was third in the NFL with 159 tackles.

The Bills had planned to move him from middle linebacker to the weak side in the 4-3 scheme of new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, hoping to free him to make more plays.