Pittsburgh running back James Conner‘s MCL injury in the season opener put a serious dent in Pitt’s plans this season. Done for the season, all Conner can do now is begin rehab after undergoing successful surgery Tuesday morning. Conner will miss the remainder of the 2015 college football season
According to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Conner’s surgery was performed by Dr. Volker Musahl, the medical director for UPMC’s Center for Sports Medicine. The surgical procedure focused on Conner’s torn MCL and doctors found no unexpected damage in the knee. Considering the circumstances, that is about as good news as you will hear for one of the ACC’s top offensive talents. Conner was injured early in Pittsburgh’s win over Youngstown State on Saturday. After jogging off the field, Conner was benched for the rest of the game by head coach Pat Narduzzi. Conner then underwent further medical examinations on Sunday, when the extent of the injury was diagnosed to be a torn MCL.
Conner’s rehab routine will not begin for another few weeks while he recovers from the surgery. With Conner out for the year, he will likely be eased back into the flow in the spring. Players coming off knee injuries tend to receive a lighter workload in the spring, and there is little reason to rush Conner back for spring practices. The ACC’s Player of the Year in 2014 has proven what he is capable of doing and should be in the plans for 2016.