Iowa Running Back Jewel Hampton Prepared To Redshirt?

According to rumors out of Iowa City, sophomore Hawkeye running back Jewel Hampton may be contemplating knee surgery that would cause him to redshirt for the 2009 season.

Hampton suffered a knee strain earlier in the summer, and aggravated the injury a couple of weeks ago. He hasn't yet returned to practice after the latest setback, and speculation is building that he may not be available for the opener, perhaps even missing the entire season.

Attempts to contact the Iowa athletic department to verify Hampton's status have not been immediately returned.

For a Top-25 team that is already trying to figure out how to replace Shonn Greene in the backfield, the uncertainty on projected starter Hampton's health throws a kink into a very promising season.

Hampton averaged over 5 yards a carry in his freshman season, amassing almost 500 yards on the ground. The Indianapolis native's seven rushing touchdowns set a school record for freshmen, and he also contributed in the kick return game a season ago.

With Iowa's first game just over a week away, expect the situation to be clarified one way or another in the next few days. According to the Press-Citizen's account of a recent radio interview with Coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawks had been hopeful Hampton could return to practice this week.

If the sophomore standout is still unable to go by week's end, the redshirt option would seem to become more viable with each day Hampton's knee doesn't improve.

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