Australian rugby player trying to win role as Cincinnati linebacker has knee surgery

CINCINNATI – An Australian rugby player who is trying to make the transition to college football will miss his freshman season after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Lindsay Crook hurt his knee during a non-contact drill during the Bearcats' first practice for fall football. He'll have a redshirt season, leaving him with four years of eligibility.

Crook was a high-level rugby player in Australia who wanted to try to play football in the United States. He enrolled at Cincinnati, which gave him a chance to earn a spot as a linebacker.

Crook had been a member of the Australian national sevens team since 2011.