Texas Tech announced Tuesday afternoon that junior running back Eric Stephens will miss the remainder of the 2011 season thanks to a dislocated knee injury he suffered in the Texas A&M game last Saturday.

Stephens was carted off the field after taking a helmet to his knee in a way that is better left not described.

With 570 yards and 8 touchdowns on the year, Stephens was well on his way to 1,000 yards and a stellar season. The good news is that his injury will not require surgery and he plans to return to the Red Raiders for his senior season.

Stephens took to Twitter to share the news with Red Raiders fans:

"THIS SEASON MAY BE OVER SOONER THAN EXPECTED BUT I PROMISE YOU RAIDER NATION I'M GOING TO ATTACK REHAB AND COMBACK EVEN BETTER NEXT YEAR!!"

Fifth-year senior Aaron Crawford is expected to replace Stephens in the starting lineup.

For more on the Texas Tech Red Raiders, visit SB Nation's Texas Tech blog Double T-Nation.