Kim Royston is undergoing surgery, coach Tim Brewster said Wednesday, to relieve the pain in his healing left leg.
"He is presently in surgery," Brewster told a crowd of roughly 300 fans at the Gophers' Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday. "Today they're taking a little screw out of his leg. They think it will really help him as far as the pain is concerned."
A titanium rod was inserted into Royston's leg after the senior safety broke two bones during spring practice, and Royston had improved so quickly, he was able to take part in some drills during fall camp. Though his progress had slowed during August -- Royston said Monday that he was still feeling soreness in the leg the morning after practice -- he had talked about playing in the Gophers' season opener on Sept. 2.
Even with the new surgery, Brewster didn't completely rule out the possibility.
Wednesday's procedure, the coach said, "will enable him to continue his progress (toward) getting back and possibly being ready to help us beat Middle Tennessee State."