Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs to miss next month after knee surgery
Adelaide will have to rely on Reilly O’Brien to hold up the ruck for the next four to six weeks with Sam Jacobs going under the knife for knee surgery.
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Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs has gone under the knife for knee surgery and will miss at least a month as he recovers.
Jacobs, 31, had an operation on his right knee on Wednesday to repair a damaged meniscus in his right knee, which had been bothering him since a knock to the knee in Round 2.
He will miss at least a month of football, meaning Reilly O’Brien will be called on to hold up the ruck for the Crows as they seek to revive their season after slumping to a 1-3 start.
Adelaide’s science and medical services co-ordinator Steve Saunders said it had become clear surgery was the best option after Jacobs had initially tried to deal with the injury with rest.
“Given the complex nature of Sam’s meniscal pathology, a period of time and conservative management was first required,” Saunders said. “It became clearer this week, with persisting meniscal signs under graduated load progressions, that surgical intervention would serve him best in both the short and long term.
“We expect Sam to progress quickly through the next 4-6 weeks of rehab and be back to his best.”
Jacobs sent out a message on social media saying the surgery had gone to plan.
“Been a tricky period managing best option regarding knee,” Jacobs said. “Club has been brilliant in handling and being as informative as we can be as we needed to get the right outcome for short and long term.
“Knee surgery done, (will) be supporting the boys and getting back as quick as I can.”
Jacobs has played 198 games, 17 with Carlton and 181 with the Crows.
His replacement during his absence, O’Brien, has played just four but his teammates have shown confidence in his ability to stand in for Jacobs, with star midfielder Matthew Crouch this week praising his competitiveness and follow-ups after being tested by respected North Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein.