UGA’s Sturdivant suffers ACL tear

Three months after electing to delay the NFL draft and return to the University of Georgia, offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament for a third time.

Sturdivant tore his right ACL during Saturday morning’s second spring scrimmage in Athens and may be finished playing for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-5, 312-pound redshirt senior from Wadesboro, N.C., tore his left ACL in 2008 during preseason camp and again during the ’09 opener at Oklahoma State.

Georgia director of sports medicine Ron Courson said Sturdivant will undergo surgery this week and probably will conduct his rehabilitation on campus. Most ACL injuries require nearly a year to fully recover, so it is very unlikely Sturdivant will play this season.

After the surgery, Sturdivant is expected to meet with team doctors before deciding any future plans. Options include seeking a medical redshirt and remaining in the program, trying to rehabilitate for the 2012 draft or choosing to give up football altogether.

Before his rash of setbacks, Sturdivant was a 13-game starter for the ’07 Bulldogs and was a freshman All-American.

“I came to Georgia with high aspirations and was a part of a team that immediately won a Sugar Bowl and was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the end of the season,” Sturdivant said in January. “This last season is not how I wanted to end my career. I want to be part of a team that gets us back on track and plays for a championship.

“I also think I can improve my draft status and continue to work on finishing my degree, which has always been important to me and my family.”