May 1, 2002

Columbia, SC –
Ryan Brewer, a rising senior tailback and wide receiver for the University of South Carolina, underwent surgery Wednesday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala., to correct tendon instability in his left ankle. The procedure was conducted at Health South Center and was performed by Dr. John Gould of Health South and assisted by Dr. Angus McBryde of the USC Sports Medicine group. Rod Walters, USC head athletics trainer who was in Birmingham, said the surgery went well and that Brewer should be returning to Columbia later this evening.

Brewer, who is USC’s leading returner receiver with 37 receptions for 352 yards and two touchdowns in 2001, injured his ankle during the Gamcocks’ 31-28 victory over Ohio State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 in Tampa. Following the bowl game, Brewer rehabilitated the ankle through spring practice, before re-injuring the ankle during USC’s final scrimmage prior to the Spring Game. The ankle was then placed in a cast for three weeks and then re-evaluated again earlier this week. Brewer was examined by Dr. James Andrews of Health South, who is part of USC’s second opinion medical team, early Wednesday morning and surgery was performed in the afternoon.

Brewer is expected to have his ankle in a cast for 4-6 weeks, after which time he will be re-evaluated and begin rehab.