Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon underwent surgery Sunday after suffering an injury to his lower left leg in the Cyclones’ season opener.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said Monday that Bacon could “have the opportunity” to return later this year.

Bacon sustained the injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s 21-3 win over North Dakota. A redshirt junior and former walk-on, Bacon had 60 tackles (6.5 for loss) and three sacks last season.

“I do think he’ll be back at some point later this season, or have the opportunity to get back later in the season, based on recovery,” Campbell said. “Obviously, that’s a tough blow for Caleb, just because he’s done such a great job, but the great news is from what it could have been and what it was, there’s a lot of positivity around it, too.”

Iowa State’s next game is the annual Cy-Hawk rivalry game, Saturday on the road against No. 21 Iowa.