Injured against Arkansas a week and a half ago, the season, and thus the collegiate career, of Auburn offensive lineman Jared Cooper has likely come to an end.
Head coach Gene Chizik announced Tuesday that the starting guard would miss the remainder of the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair a “lower leg injury”. While Chizik held out a bit of hope that the fifth-year senior would be able to return for a bowl game, it appears even that is a remote possibility.
“I hate it,” Chizik said. “You talk about a guy who’s paid his dues and been through a lot. Here he is finally getting enough playing time where he can have a comfort level. He was just at that point where he was really starting to feel good, feel confident, and unfortunately this happens.”
Cooper had started the first six games of the 2011 season. He is being replaced in the starting lineup by redshirt freshman Chad Slade.