The University of Maine has confirmed that sophomore fullback Jared Turcotte of Lewiston underwent surgery this week, but the star running back’s return is still uncertain.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the university, Turcotte “had successful surgery on his abdominal area Monday.” Turcotte has missed the Black Bears’ first three games due to the injury just before training camp opened in August. 

“The prognosis for recovery is good,” the statement continues, “although no timetable has been set as yet for his return.”

Turcotte missed the final two weeks of preseason practice and sat out the season opener against St. Cloud State. He appeared to be progressing towards making his 2009 debut in Week 2 against Northeastern, according to coach Jack Cosgrove, then suffered a setback during the week leading up to the Maine’s 17-7 win and has not returned to practice since. 

Turcotte and Cosgrove could not be reached for comment Wednesday. In a regularly-scheduled interview with the Sun Journal on
Tuesday, Cosgrove said he was still waiting for more information from
doctors regarding Turcotte’s medical status.

“We have not had the conversation take place between the doctor
in Lewiston and the doctor up here, our sports medicine department up
here,” Cosgrove said. “We don’t know the extent, we don’t know the
outcome, we don’t know the prognosis for down the road. None of that
has been discussed at this point, so I’m going to wait until that
conversation takes place.”

A preseason All-American and all-Colonial Athletic Conference selection, Turcotte led Maine in rushing (625 yards) , receptions (25) and touchdowns (8) last season. The Black Bears won two of their first two games without him this year before dropping a 20-16 decision at Albany last week. They return to upstate New York to face Syracuse this week.