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Minnesota’s Eric Curry out 4-to-6 weeks after knee surgery

Middle Tennessee v Minnesota

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 16: Eric Curry #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers attempts a shot in the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Just a little over a week ago, Eric Curry was cleared to play for the first time since he tore his ACL, an injury that cost him all of last season at Minnesota. The Golden Gopher big man, however, is back on the mend.

Curry, a 6-foot-9 sophomore, is out 4-to-6 weeks after undergoing another knee surgery, this one in response to swelling in his knee that an MRI revealed was damaged cartilage, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

“Unfortunately this knee is stubborn but Eric is relentless,” Curry’s mother, Audrea, tweeted. “Some nasty cartilage was removed this morning and hopefully no more swelling or issues!! But Hey, its unfortunate but in 4-6 weeks it will conference play and he will be geared to go!!”

Curry was slated to start for the Gophers, bolstering a frontcourt that already boasts all-Big Ten selection Jordan Murphy.

“Huge blow for our team,” Minnesota coach Richard Pitino said in a statement. “We will eagerly await his return. Feel so bad for Eric because he worked so hard to get back. He has to keep the faith and stay positive. We will stay on him!”

The Gophers have to be hoping this is simply a minor setback and not an ominous sign for a season that comes on the heels of a 15-17 campaign that was beset by injuries. Curry’s timeline puts his presence in question for a tough slate of non-conference games that includes Boston College (Nov. 28) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 30) and Big Ten games against Ohio State (Dec. 2) and Nebraska (Dec. 5).

Freshman center Daniel Oturu, a 6-foot-10 Minnesota native and four-star prospect, could be pressed into action immediately in Curry’s absence.