Mark Ingram, the reigning Heisman Trophy winning running back for Alabama will miss the Crimson Tide’s 2010 College Football season-opener on Saturday against San Jose State after having his knee scoped.
Following the game on Saturday, Ingram will be evaluated on a week-to-week time-frame. The Crimson Tide host Penn State in Tuscaloosa the second week of the season, with Ingram’s status still yet to be determined.
“Mark will definitely be out for this week’s game against San Jose State and we will manage this on a week to week basis beyond this week. We will make every decision in the future based on what’s best for Mark and his career as we consult with Dr. Cain and Dr. Andrews on his progress. This is not an injury that will affect Mark’s future ability to make a full recovery in a relatively short time frame,” said head coach Nick Saban.
The normal recovery time needed to a knee scope is typically several weeks.
“We have full confidence in our medical staff and we know the doctors and athletic trainers will do an outstanding job in taking care of Mark and assisting him in his rehab,” Saban said.
“It was a situation where everyone involved thought it would be better to take care of now, so he would not have any issues with it later in the season,” Saban added.
During his Heisman campaign last year, Ingram tabbed 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns. He rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship win that vaulted them into the national title game.
Entering this season, USA Online Sportsbooks and College Football Betting Lines had established Ingram among the top betting contenders to walk away with another Heisman Trophy.
Ingram is expected to be a cornerstone to the Crimson Tide’s offense this season. Fortunately for Alabama, they have a back who is more than capable of picking up the slack in Ingram’s absence. Tailback Trent Richardson, who rushed for 751 yards and eight touchdowns. Richardson is used to splitting time and not being the main back, but will likely get more than 20 carries against San Jose State.
While there is little concern for the Tide this week, the Penn State game looms on September 11, and Ingram’s absence could be sorely missed in that game if he is unable to go.
