LEXINGTON,
Ky. – Junior
tailback/punt returner Rafael Little is
expected to miss approximately one month
after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on
Monday to repair a lateral cartilage tear in
his left knee, Coach Rich Brooks announced.
Little
originally injured the knee in the win over
Texas State
on Sept. 9. An MRI test showed no damage,
but Little had recurring swelling in the
knee, prompting the arthroscopic procedure
to assess and correct the situation.
Little has
played in five games this season (did not
play vs.
Florida) and
is the team’s leading rusher with 286 yards,
a 4.7-yard average per carry, and two
touchdowns. He also has 11 pass receptions
for 153 yards, a 13.9-yard average per
catch, and one TD. Little leads the
Southeastern Conference and is sixth
nationally in punt returns with a 19.4-yard
average. He is second in the SEC, behind
teammate Keenan Burton, in all-purpose
yardage per game.
In
addition, Brooks noted the continuing
uncertainty about the injury situation at
the defensive tackle positions. Starters
Lamar Mills (shoulder) and Myron Pryor
(elbow) are questionable for Saturday’s game
at LSU. Reserve Ricky Abren, who saw brief
action vs.
South Carolina,
is trying to recover from a sprained wrist.
Reserve Corey Peters continues to be out
with a sprained knee. The only healthy
regular tackle is sophomore reserve Ventrell
Jenkins. Brooks said that defensive end
Travis Day might see some action at tackle
and redshirt freshman walk-on Austin Moss
could get playing time as well.