ACLs are tricky little stabilizers of the most important joints in the body of an athlete. They can be damaged through lower body contact, overexertion, non-contact or even in celebratory moments and the rehabilitation process can be lenghy and brutal.
Oregon's top cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu suffered a serious knee injury during practice on Wednesday and while unconfirmed, the belief is that his ACL may be torn.
Naturally, Ekpre-Olomu faces a long recovery and a difficult choice in the coming weeks. The Ducks 5-10, 195 pound senior was a finalist for the Otis Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back and was considered a first round prospect. Without the benefits of workouts, the Combine and the prospect of sitting out much of his first NFL training camp, Ekpre-Olomu may drop dramatically in May's Draft.
In the short-term, the Ducks will be short an All-American in the secondary as they prepare for the pinpoint laser arm of 2013 Heisman winner Jameis Winston at the Rose Bowl on New Years Day
