Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz is not ruling out Jordan Canzeri’s return for the 2012 season. The sophomore running back suffered an ACL injury during a non-contact drill last week as part of spring practice. He was scheduled to undergo surgery this afternoon.

Ferentz says an MRI confirmed the torn ACL and they will take it day-by-day to see how he progresses in the rehab. Ferentz says it is possible Canzeri could be cleared to play around the start of next season. He says it is typically 5 to 6 months to get medically cleared and then moving ahead to getting back into the action.

Ferentz says advances in medicine have shortened the recovery time for ACL repairs. He says most of the injured players will find their repaired knee is stronger than the injured one, but it takes some time to come back.

The Hawkeyes will conclude spring drills on April 14th.