Trinton Sturdivant suffers another ACL injury

This is pretty tough news from the Georgia football team: Trinton Sturdivant tore the ACL in his right knee in Saturday's scrimmage, the team announced on Sunday evening.

It's the third torn ACL for Sturdivant, who had fought back to health after twice having surgery on his left knee.

Head athletic trainer Ron Courson said, through a team spokesman, that Sturdivant will "undergo surgery sometime this week to repair the knee ligament and is expected to conduct his rehab at UGA."

Sturdivant began his career in 2007 by starting every game at left tackle. Then he tore his ACL and missed the 2008 season. When he returned to start the 2009 season, he once again tore the ACL and missed the rest of the season.

He worked his way back slowly last season, eventually getting back into the lineup and making seven starts at left tackle.

Sturdivant and Cordy Glenn, who was switching from guard, were working at both tackle spots this spring. The pair were expected to anchor the line, along with fellow senior Ben Jones at center, so the news is a major blow to that unit.

Redshirt freshman Brent Benedict, who himself is returning from shoulder surgery, could be a candidate to replace Sturdivant. The team could also shift Kenarious Gates, a sophomore guard, to one of the tackle spots.

The Bulldogs also have redshirt freshman Kolton Houston, junior A.J. Harmon, and incoming freshmen Zach DeBell, Watts Dantzler and Hunter Long.

The injury doesn't necessarily mean Sturdivant's career is over. He could apply for a sixth year on medical grounds, and would appear to qualify since he would have missed two seasons because of injury.

The week before the Liberty Bowl, Sturdivant spoke publicly for the first time since the second surgery. He admitted the rehabilitation process was “real tough,” especially after going through it the first time.

“To have it happen the second time, knowing the ultimate goal for every college player should be the NFL, to for that to be tarnished because of the injuries was tough,” Sturdivant said. “And being that you won’t be able to play with your teammates, and you don’t know if you’re going to be able to come off and play well. It was a serious struggle of mine.”

Sturdivant briefly considered entering the NFL draft, but decided to come back upon hearing that he could improve his draft stock by playing a solid, healthy senior year.

"Hopefully it will," Sturdivant said in announcing his return. "You never know what God has in store for you. But that's what a lot of people are telling me."