Cooper To Miss Season With ACL Tear

SEATTLE - One of the real hopes this season was that Deontae Cooper would be able to recover from his two ACL tears to give the UW running game some production in 2012. But a non-contact drill took Cooper out yet again - this time an ACL tear in his right knee was the culprit - putting the sophomore's career in jeopardy.

“I am saddened and dismayed to report that Deontae Cooper has torn the ACL in his right knee while participating in a non-contact drill during practice," Steve Sarkisian said via statement Wednesday night. "Deontae has done everything we have asked of him, and has been an example to his teammates with his hard work in the classroom, and the dedication he showed in returning from two previous ACL surgeries in his left knee. Our football program will do everything we can to support him in this tough time.”

Cooper, a 6-foot, 201 pounder from Perris, Calif. suffered an ACL tear of his left knee during his true freshman year and reinjured it again in the summer of 2011 - again in a non-contact drill.

"It's been a long time," Cooper told the media Monday after his first practice back with the team after he had been fully cleared to play a few weeks back. "I'm excited to get out there and play again."

Cooper was asked about if there was any doubts he would play again after the second surgery. "Til the doctor tells me I can't play...if I tear my ACL five more times I'm going to keep going," he said, matter-of-factly. "It is what it is."