Gillam To Have Second Knee Surgery, Miss Rest Of 2015 Season

BOULDER – Junior linebacker Addison Gillam will undergo a second knee surgery on Friday and miss the remainder of the 2015 season, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said on Tuesday.

Gillam, whose 119 tackles in 2013 set a school freshman record and led the Pac-12 and FBS in tackles by a true freshman, played in only two games this season. He is eligible to apply for a medical hardship waiver, which MacIntyre called "a silver lining."

MacIntyre expects Gillam to be fully recovered and back for 2016. "I think he's a top Pac-12 player when he's healthy," he said. "Not having him out there (this season) hurts your defense (and) our leadership." He is a member of CU's 12-man leadership council.

Despite battling a variety of injuries (concussion, shoulder, leg), Gillam still was the Buffs' second-leading tackler in 2014 (79). In two games this season he recorded six tackles.

MacIntyre said Gillam's surgery involved a cartilage clean-up that was necessary due to continued swelling in Gillam's knee when he runs. The coach and player talked on Tuesday morning about the surgery, which MacIntyre called "a good conversation about it . . . he's doing as well as expected."

Meanwhile, MacIntyre said junior linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, who missed the last two games with a leg injury, will return to the starting lineup for Saturday's game at Oregon State (8:30 p.m. MDT, Pac-12 Networks).

Olugbode remains fifth on the team in total tackles (39) despite missing two games. MacIntyre said Olugbode would rotate with true freshman Grant Watanabe and redshirt freshman Rick Gamboa at inside linebacker.

In other injury news, the Buffs are likely to be without junior running back Michael Adkins II for fifth consecutive game.

MacIntyre said Adkins, who had averaged 70.7 yards a game rushing through the season's first three weeks with a season-high 119 yards against UMass, still is not recovered from a hamstring injury.

A more definitive word on Adkins' status is expected at the end of the week, MacIntyre said. But after not having played in four weeks, Adkins' availability appears doubtful.

In his absence, CU has depended mostly on sophomore Phillip Lindsay and senior Christian Powell, with freshman Patrick Carr's role increasing by the week.

The Buffs are last in the Pac-12 in rushing, averaging 84.7 yards a game (conference only).

Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU