Sturdivant Tears Right ACL

FOOTBALL

Senior left tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered the third major knee injury of his career during Saturday’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium.

Director of sports medicine Ron Courson confirmed the injury and said that Sturdivant will undergo surgery sometime this week to repair the knee.

Sturdivant started 13 games his freshman season at left tackle and made the All SEC Freshman Team, he missed the 2008 season following a torn ACL in his left knee during fall camp.

In the 2009 season opener against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Sturdivant tore the ACL in his left knee a second time. On that play, Sturdivant was in an open area of the field and the knee just seemed to buckle under him. It was repaired using a different surgical technique the second time and has not been an issue since.

Sturdivant is a fifth year senior and would likely be granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA if he applies. That decision may not come until next spring since rehab on an ACL is normally at least a year. Following the second injury, Coach Richt said that the mental aspect of a long rehab is more difficult than the physical requirements.

Sturdivant has shown the mental strength to overcome two serious injuries, he will be challenged again.