UGA loses second player to knee injury

By TIM TUCKER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Athens -- For the second week in a row, Georgia lost a starting player to a season-ending injury.

Senior defensive end Roderick Battle tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Saturday’s game, one week after starting offensive tackle Trinton Sturdivant suffered the same injury.

“It’s sad,” Georgia head coach Mark Richt said of the latest injury. “It’s just sad for Roderick, first and foremost, and it’s tough on us.”

Battle, from Atlanta, has started 22 games for the Bulldogs, including the first two this season. He left Saturday’s game in the second quarter. The torn ligament was diagnosed by MRI on Sunday.

While losing Battle for the season, Georgia gets another defensive end back this week as sophomore Justin Houston returns from a two-game suspension for violating team rules.

“We’re thankful he’ll be able to play,” Richt said.

Richt said he doesn’t know yet whether there is a possibility of seeking a medical redshirt season for Battle, whose eligibility otherwise expires after this season.