Ailing knee sidelines Sampson for season

The season has come to a quick end for one of the Hawaii football team’s fastest players.

Wide receiver Allen Sampson will undergo knee surgery and miss the entire 2012 season.

Sampson addressed teammates during an emotional meeting on Thursday.

"He’s one of our Warriors," head coach Norm Chow said. "I feel badly for him."

Sampson said: "It was tough news, more because I wanted to play with the seniors."

The UH medical staff recommended scheduling the operation in the next few days. But Sampson opted to wait until after his mother arrives from Florida in a week.

Sampson suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during a victory over New Mexico State in October of last year. He said he aggravated the injury during spring training in April. He underwent a procedure to ease the discomfort in the knee.

This week, he aggravated the right ACL again. He said the graft is intact, but he suffered enough damage to require surgery.

"It’s a big blow for us," said Chow, noting the team’s growing injury list.

Wideout Chris Gant will not practice for two weeks while recovering from a badly sprained ankle. Gant was on crutches on Thursday.

Wide receiver Trevor Davis, who has not worked out this week, is expected to resume practicing this afternoon.

Chow said Justin Clapp and converted quarterbacks David Graves and Justin Alo will receive extensive reps the next two practices. The Warriors will have a 100-play scrimmage on Saturday.

Sampson did not redshirt in his first two UH seasons. He will petition for a medical redshirt for this season. After that, he will have two years of eligibility remaining.

"Hopefully, I’ll be 100 percent after this (surgery)," Sampson said.

Sampson was in uniform Thursday, although he was not allowed to participate in drills.

"I’m off the field, but I’ll never leave the team," Sampson said. "I’ll be here for the boys every day. They’re not going to miss me because I’m still going to be around."