Oregon safety John Boyett to miss season after knee surgery

Eugene, OR, United States (4E Sports) – Oregon free safety John Boyett announced Sunday that he will have surgery on both knees and miss the rest of the season.

Boyett told the Napa Valley Register that he will have surgery to repair partial tears of both patellar tendons Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team physician, will perform the surgery. Boyett did not say how the injuries occurred.

“I’ve had a lingering injury that I played through all last year,” Boyett said. “The hope was, through different treatments and certain types of rehab during this past offseason, they would heal up and I’d be ready to go.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned. I’ve been dealing with a tremendous amount of pain for a long time.”

Boyett played in the team’s season opener against Arkansas State and had an interception but was out of the lineup Saturday against Fresno State.

The news is a tough blow for the Ducks defense. Boyett led Oregon in tackles last season with 108.

“At this time, I’m not able to play up to this level that I want to,” Boyett said. “Five different specialists from around the country have reviewed my MRIs and at this time surgery is needed.”

Boyett did not comment on his plans for the future and if they include an application for a medical redshirt or the 2013 NFL draft.

“I haven’t thought about the future,” Boyett said. “All I’m worried about is getting healthy. I’m just worried about trying to get back to 100 percent, trying to get healthy.

“I’m 100 percent confident that I will be back on the football field. It’s just going to take a little bit of time. I’m going to do everything I can to get back to 100 percent.”

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