Alabama’s Ingram will miss opener

Mark Ingram’s run for a second Heisman Trophy has been put on hold, and possibly even derailed, before the Alabama tailback had a chance to gain a single yard.

Ingram will miss No. 1 Alabama’s opener against San Jose State after injuring his left knee late in practice Monday, coach Nick Saban said Tuesday.

Saban said in a statement the star tailback had an arthroscopic procedure and should make a full recovery in a “relatively short time.”

“Mark will be out for this week’s game against San Jose State and we will manage this on a week-to-week basis beyond this week,” Saban said.

If the absence proves short-lived, it figures to have more of an impact on Ingram’s bid to join Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winners than it does on Alabama’s hopes for a repeat national title.

San Jose State went 2-10 last season, but the Crimson Tide host No. 19 Penn State on Sept. 11.

Alabama does have a talented backup in sophomore Trent Richardson.