CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 SPORTS) -- Not all the vibes coming out of Virginia scrimmage on Saturday were good after All-ACC defensive end Chico Bennett Jr. suffered a "freak" non-contact knee injury, according to Tony Elliott.

"Still going through the process of trying to get all the information together to figure out exactly what it is," Elliott said on Monday, "It was a freak deal, we're out at practice, he finishes the scrimmage and takes a knee and pops up and his knee stiffened up."

Bennett was seen at practice on Monday with crutches and a brace on his right knee. Elliott said Bennett had scans on the knee on Monday morning and the team is now waiting on an answer from doctors, so there was "no timetable" available yet.

"I've never seen anything like it, to be honest with you," Elliott said.

Last season was Bennett's first on the field with the Cavaliers after transferring from Georgia Tech and suffering an ACL injury before the 2021 season. In his return to the field, Bennett led UVA with seven sacks on his way to earning honorable mention All-ACC honors.

“Because a guy like Chico has worked so hard to get to this point," Elliott said, "Now, you’re in a situation where you’re trying to get some clarity and you don’t have it yet. So I feel mostly for the player, but the unfortunate reality about football is the next man has to be ready.”

Bennett is expected to retain his starting role as the bandit defensive end opposite Kam Butler on the defensive line. Virginia returns a deep group on the edge, though, with Elliott naming Ben Smiley and Paul Akere as players ready to fill in at the bandit spot.

"That's my guy, I'm praying for him and I know he's going to be ready whenever his time is ready," Akere said, "The motto around here is next man up, so there's no doubt he's a hell of a player, but I know we got guys who can go, every dog can bark."

Elliott also said Northwestern wide receiver transfer Malik Washington "tweaked" his ankle during the scrimmage on Saturday, but the injury does not appear to be significant. Offensive tackle McKale Boley has also been out injured with a sprained ankle, but Elliott expects Boley to return to practice this week.