Aug. 10, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports

ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia running back Kregg Lumpkin, who was expected to start, will be lost for the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee during a non-contact drill.

"I'm disappointed with what has happened to Kregg," coach Mark Richt said Tuesday. "He had worked extremely hard getting ready for this season. Now he'll have to postpone it until next year. But the good news is that he can get a redshirt year and still have three years to play."

Lumpkin tore his anterior cruciate ligament Monday, the team's first day of practice. He had an MRI on Monday night. The normal recovery period for a torn ACL is about nine months.

Lumpkin was second on the team with 523 yards rushing as a freshman last year, despite missing the first two games with a hamstring injury. After a strong spring, he was listed as the starter entering preseason practice.

Lumpkin rushed for 90 yards and the game-winning touchdown in Georgia's Capital One Bowl victory over Purdue.

Michael Cooper, who led the team with 673 yards rushing last season, likely will move up to the top spot on the depth chart. Running back Tony Milton, who is recovering from offseason leg surgery, should also compete for playing time with freshmen Danny Ware and Thomas Brown and senior Albert Hollis.



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