Athens — Georgia fullback Brannan Southerland suffered a setback in his rehabilitation of a foot injury and has had to undergo an additional surgery Friday. He could miss at least the first five games of the season.

Southerland, who has been the starter for three years, could be out for as many as 16 weeks after surgery on his left foot to repair a fracture, according to Ron Courson, Georgia's director of sports medicine.

The 16-week mark is Sept. 26, the day before Georgia plays Alabama in Athens. Among the other games in September, Georgia plays at South Carolina and Arizona State. After a weekend off Oct. 4, Georgia plays Tennessee at home Oct. 11.

Compounding the problem is that Fred Munzenmaier, one of the two backups to Southerland, has been suspended for the first two games of the season — against Georgia Southern and Central Michigan, so the role of fullback falls to Shaun Chapas for those games.

Southerland broke the navicular bone in his left foot at the end of last season and missed the entire spring. Tests performed this week revealed a fracture of the same bone in a different location.

Surgery was required to repair the fracture.

Southerland started 10 games last season and played in 12. He has 25 career starts and in 2006 became the first fullback since 1957 (Theron Sapp) to lead the team in scoring. He had 10 touchdowns, eight rushing and two receiving.