Jared Turcotte may have to return to the operating room before making his much-anticipated return to the University of Maine backfield.

The sophomore All-American fullback may need surgery to repair a groin injury he suffered prior to training camp. The injury has kept him out of the Black Bears first two games this season.

Turcotte, a Fitzpatrick Trophy winner at Lewiston High School in 2006, posted “Surgery next week damn.” on his Twitter page at around noon Thursday. But the sophomore backtracked when contacted by the Sun Journal three hours later.

“We’re not really sure yet,” Turcotte said prior to Maine’s late-afternoon practice. “We’re seeking other opinions from other doctors.”

Turcotte said he visited a Lewiston doctor Wednesday and was told he would need surgery. He declined to reveal the name of the doctor, the specific injury he was having checked or the extent of the injury. 
He confirmed that the injury was the same one that had kept him out of
Maine’s first two games.

“I don’t know if I’m able to talk about that stuff,” he said. “To be honest, I don’t think I’m supposed to be saying anything yet until we find something more definitive.”

Turcotte said he had not scheduled any further doctor visits as of Thursday afternoon.

“I’ve tried to contact some other people and see what they have to say, but I haven’t gotten anything back yet,” he said.

Turcotte would not say how long he would be out if he did elect to have surgery, but sources told the Sun Journal it would not keep him out for the rest of the season.

Maine’s leader in rushing yards, receptions and touchdowns last season, Turcotte was sidelined for the Black Bears’ wins against St. Cloud State and Northeastern. He will also miss this Saturday’s game at Albany.

After helping to lead the Black Bears to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs as a redshirt freshman last year, the 6-foot, 2-inch, 221-pound Turcotte underwent minor surgery to repair a meniscus in his right knee that had torn in the middle of the season. He also had his left knee operated on during the previous off-season. 

With Turcotte sidelined, sophomore tailback Derek Session has gotten the bulk of the carries and has rushed for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 42 attempts for the 20th-ranked Black Bears. 

Coach Jack Cosgrove did not return calls seeking comment Thursday.