Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson has torn ACL throwing football future in the air
Clayton Thorson
Northwestern athletics dodged a bullet on Bryant McIntoshâs knee injury. But not Clayton Thorsonâs.
 Thorson  got carted off Friday in the Music City Bowl after making a 24-yard catch on a trick play.  He  immediately grabbed  his  right knee as Nissan Stadium hushed and teammates approached to offer encouragement.
After the game NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said that a preliminary exam revealed ânothing overly alarming â¦ I think  he  hyperextended it  from my vantage point.â
But subsequent tests revealed a tear and there is no timetable for  his  return. Surgery is expected in a few weeks. Torn ACLs typically have a 9- to 12-month recovery period.
 Thorson  announced Dec. 19 that  he  would return to Evanston for  his  fifth season and fourth as a starter. Had  he  been healthy and entered the NFL draft   he  figured to be a late-round pick.
If  Thorson  isnât ready for NUâs Aug. 30 (Thursday night) season-opener at Purdue  Northwestern likely will turn to either TJ Green or Andrew Marty.
 Thorson âs 27 victories as the starting quarterback are the most in NU history. The 6-foot-4  220-pound Wheaton North alumnus ranks second in program history in passing yards (7 513) and completions (688). Heâs a career 57.4 percent passer and made third-team all-Big Ten in 2017.
 Clayton Thorson 's return gives NU a fourth-year starter at QB Â»
Northwestern athletics dodged a bullet on Bryant McIntoshâs knee injury. But not  [TGT] âs.
 Thorson  got carted off Friday in the Music City Bowl after making a 24-yard catch on a trick play.  He  immediately grabbed  his  right knee as Nissan Stadium hushed and teammates approached to offer encouragement.
After the game NU coach Pat Fitzgerald said that a preliminary exam revealed ânothing overly alarming â¦ I think  he  hyperextended it  from my vantage point.â
But subsequent tests revealed a tear and there is no timetable for  his  return. Surgery is expected in a few weeks. Torn ACLs typically have a 9- to 12-month recovery period.
 Thorson  announced Dec. 19 that  he  would return to Evanston for  his  fifth season and fourth as a starter. Had  he  been healthy and entered the NFL draft   he  figured to be a late-round pick.
If  Thorson  isnât ready for NUâs Aug. 30 (Thursday night) season-opener at Purdue  Northwestern likely will turn to either TJ Green or Andrew Marty.
 Thorson âs 27 victories as the starting quarterback are the most in NU history. The 6-foot-4  220-pound Wheaton North alumnus ranks second in program history in passing yards (7 513) and completions (688). Heâs a career 57.4 percent passer and made third-team all-Big Ten in 2017.
  [TGT]  's return gives NU a fourth-year starter at QB Â»