Clarett has surgery on knee, now questionable
- Paul Wong
- AP PHOTO
Freshman tailback Maurice Clarett underwent surgery yesterday and is now listed as questionable for the weekend. Clarett rushed for 230 yards last weekend.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee yesterday but still might play Saturday at Cincinnati.
Dr. Chris Kaeding, a team doctor, said it was “unlikely but not outside the realm of possibility” that Clarett could play this weekend.
Clarett was injured in the first quarter against Washington State last Saturday, coach Jim Tressel said. Despite the injury, Clarett ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns as the sixth-ranked Buckeyes beat the Cougars 25-7.
Clarett had an MRI over the weekend and was on crutches following the surgery. He could return to practice by Thursday.
“The way our physicians explained it to me, we had four or five guys who had it last year,” Tressel said.
“It could’ve been an old injury that he might’ve gotten further banged on.”
Clarett was scheduled to rest his knee yesterday and then begin rehab today.
“We anticipate a complete and very quick recovery,” Kaeding said.
Clarett was the first true freshman to start at tailback for Ohio State in a season opener. He ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-21 victory over Texas Tech on Aug. 24.
Either Lydell Ross or Maurice Hall would start in Clarett’s place.