Utah State football: Robert Turbin undergoes ACL surgery

LOGAN — Utah State tailback Robert Turbin underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn ACL.

The injury, which happened during offseason conditioning drills, will keep the junior-to-be out of action for several months and, according to a source close to the USU football program, may cost him the season.

Utah State coach Gary Andersen did not want to discuss the injury or surgery Thursday afternoon. But on Wednesday he told the Deseret News he hoped the injury, surgery and rehab would be smooth and quick. He also said there would be no rush to get Turbin on the playing field, however, if he was not 100 percent ready to play.

Turbin rushed for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore last season while also scoring five receiving touchdowns on 30 catches for 418 yards.

The source at USU said injuries like Turbin's can be difficult to predict. For 'normal' behavior it is possible for a person to return to form in 6-9 months. But for a high-level athlete who punishes his body, especially his knees with sharp cuts on the turf and bursts of acceleration, it can take longer to return to form.

That said, the source indicated Turbin should have no reason not to be the same explosively powerful player he was last year again in the future. The only question is if that will be for the 2010 season or the 2011 season.

Andersen did not want to speculate about any time table other than to hope for the best.

However, if Turbin has to miss the upcoming season, Andersen said he fully expects to apply for and be given a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Turbin injured his foot in the only game he played as a true freshman and missed the remainder of that season as a redshirt.

The Aggies will certainly miss Turbin's play and leadership. If he is not able to suit up next fall, USU will turn to seniors Michael Smith and Derrvin Speight with sophomore Kerwynn Williams also seeing time. Quarterback Diondre Borel, likewise, is a running threat.

e-mail: jeborn@desnews.com