Running back Bryan Fitzgerald, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s leading rusher last season and lone first-team preseason All-Southern Conference selection, is out for the season following knee surgery Thursday morning at Erlanger hospital.

Fitzgerald, from Memphis, reported to camp with the right knee injury, which he sustained while working out at home this summer. Moving around on crutches with his knee wrapped in a brace, he attended Thursday’s practice at Scrappy Moore Field.

“I’m OK. I’ll be back and ready to go next year,” said Fitzgerald, a senior with a redshirt year still available. He had surgery on the same knee in high school, he said.

Damaged cartilage had to be removed during Thursday’s surgery performed by Dr. W. Michael Tew. That means several months of rest and rehabilitation, Mocs coach Rodney Allison said.

“I was leaning very heavily on not having him (this season),” Allison said. “I thought this is what would happen when they went in there.”

Fitzgerald led UTC with 798 rushing yards last season on just 117 carries. Playing behind starter Erroll Wynn, his breakout performance came against Arkansas on Oct. 6, when he ran for 123 yards against the Razorbacks, including a 65-yard touchdown. Despite an injured shoulder that required offseason surgery, Fitzgerald rushed for 116 or more yards in four of the Mocs’ final seven games.

Wynn, who rushed for 776 yards, is expected to pick up much of the load in Fitzgerald’s absence, along with transfer Shaun Kermah.