The University of Hawaii football team’s leading tackler — linebacker Jahlani Tavai — is expected to miss this coming week’s road game against Fresno State.

“I don’t think he’ll be with us this week,” head coach Nick Rolovich said following today’s two-hour practice on the grass field.

In the second quarter of Saturday’s game against Nevada, Tavai appeared to hurt a shoulder when he landed hard on the Aloha Stadium turf. He was examined in the medical tent, and spent the second half on the sideline in street clothes.

In eight games, Tavai has 82 tackles — 12 more than the Warrior’s second-leading tackler, Ikem Okeke, who has appeared in nine games.

Kana‘i Picanco is the immediate understudy to Tavai at linebacker. Tavai is a versatile defender who aligns as a strong-side linebacker and rush end.