04-30-2002, 04:03 PM
per Yahoo Sports...
South Carolina, already thin in the offensive backfield, got more bad news Tuesday when it learned that starting tailback Ryan Brewer will need surgery to correct a left ankle injury.
Brewer, first hurt in January's Outback Bowl and reinjured in spring practice, was traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for consultation with the medical group of noted sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Once that examination is complete, Brewer could be operated as early as Wednesday, athletic department spokesman Kerry Tharp.
In January, Derek Watson, a three-year starter at tailback who rushed for 1,684 yards and 16 touchdowns the past two seasons was convicted of marijuana possession and dismissed from the team.
``I was feeling pretty good about our running back situation until I received the news about Ryan Brewer late last night,'' coach Lou Holtz said Tuesday.
Brewer, a senior, was listed as a starter on the team's spring depth chart.
Tharp said South Carolina's doctors waited to see whether Brewer's injury would respond on its own. However, it was determined that surgery is necessary to fix injured tendons in his left ankle.
Brewer will need to spend 4-to-6 weeks in a cast, then another eight weeks recovering, Holtz said.
Brewer is expected to be ready in time for summer drills in August.
South Carolina, already thin in the offensive backfield, got more bad news Tuesday when it learned that starting tailback Ryan Brewer will need surgery to correct a left ankle injury.
Brewer, first hurt in January's Outback Bowl and reinjured in spring practice, was traveling to Birmingham, Ala., for consultation with the medical group of noted sports orthopedist Dr. James Andrews. Once that examination is complete, Brewer could be operated as early as Wednesday, athletic department spokesman Kerry Tharp.
In January, Derek Watson, a three-year starter at tailback who rushed for 1,684 yards and 16 touchdowns the past two seasons was convicted of marijuana possession and dismissed from the team.
``I was feeling pretty good about our running back situation until I received the news about Ryan Brewer late last night,'' coach Lou Holtz said Tuesday.
Brewer, a senior, was listed as a starter on the team's spring depth chart.
Tharp said South Carolina's doctors waited to see whether Brewer's injury would respond on its own. However, it was determined that surgery is necessary to fix injured tendons in his left ankle.
Brewer will need to spend 4-to-6 weeks in a cast, then another eight weeks recovering, Holtz said.
Brewer is expected to be ready in time for summer drills in August.