Late last week, Ben noted that Oregon State’s Brandon Hardin had been ruled out indefinitely due to a shoulder issue.
That timeline has now gone from indefinite to somewhat definitive and, unfortunately, the far end of it could keep the starting cornerback off the field for all of the 2011 season.
Hardin revealed Tuesday that he will undergo surgery Friday to repair a partial fracture in his left shoulder socket. The Portland Tribune reports that the results of his MRI were sent to surgeons in Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Pittsburgh, with the decision being made to go forward with the surgical procedure, which involves inserting a screw into the injured joint, after multiple consultations.
As it stands now, the senior could return in six weeks from the time of his surgery, which would mean somewhere around early October. While Hardin said “I don’t think I’m done for the season”, his head coach is far less optimistic.
“It’s highly unlikely he is going to play this year,” Mike Riley said.
Hardin has started 15 games the past two seasons, including all 12 in 2010.