Alabama's Ingram to miss opener with knee injury

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram of Alabama will miss the season opener after injuring his left knee during practice.

He was hurt Monday and coach Nick Saban said in a statement the star tailback had an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday. The coach says Ingram should make a full recovery in a ``relatively short time.''

The top-ranked Crimson Tide opens Saturday against San Jose State. Alabama's biggest nonconference game comes when No. 19 Penn State visits on Sept. 11.

Saban says ``everyone involved'' thought it better to get the problem taken care of quickly so Ingram wouldn't have issues later in the season. The coach adds that decisions on Ingram's recovery will be made week to week.