University of Miami sophomore running back Duke Johnson had surgery on his right ankle on Monday by Dr. Lee Kaplan at the UM Medical Center, according to head athletic trainer Vinny Scavo.
Johnson, who exited Saturday's game against Florida State late in the third quarter, is expected back on campus Thursday.
Head coach Al Golden said he left Johnson a voicemail last night and sent him a text this morning.
"I think when we get out of here today I think we'll be in a position where we can talk or go see him later on," Golden said. "All indications are that everything went well. Again, he's got a great personality, he's resilient. He'll be back, better than ever."
The 5-foot-9, 196-pound running back finished with 23 carries for 97 yards in the 41-14 loss to Florida State. He sustained his injury on a fourth-and-2 play in Florida State territory with less than two minutes left in the third quarter.
Hit one yard short of the first down, he began to go down from the initial contact before a few players fell on top of him, including one of his own offensive linemen. Johnson's right leg bent underneath him at an awkward angle.
Johnson ranks fourth nationally in all-purpose yards (1,393) and 14th in rushing yards (920). He ran for six touchdowns on 145 carries, with a long of 59.
Sophomore Dallas Crawford will now carry the brunt of the work. When Johnson went down in the Tar Heels game, Crawford collected 145 yards and two touchdowns on 33 rushes. Crawford has scored a team-high nine touchdowns.
Senior Eduardo Clements (19 carries, 125 yards) and true freshman Gus Edwards (29 carries, 188 yards, 3 TDs) as well as fullbacks Walter Tucker and Maurice Hagens will be tasked with picking up the slack.
"I'm glad that I'm getting the opportunity to start, but I hate that it has to be this way," Crawford said. "I'd rather have Duke here."
