COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina star Marcus Lattimore was taken to a hospital because of an apparent knee injury he suffered against Tennessee on Saturday.
Lattimore was running through the left side when he was struck around the knees by Volunteers defensive back Eric Gordon, Lattimore's right leg whipping around and slamming against the turf. South Carolina trainers immediately rushed to his side, keeping Lattimore flat on his back as the junior attempted to sit up and see the injury.
Lattimore was taken off the field on a cart and went to the hospital for further evaluation, the school announced.
Lattimore missed the final six games of last season after tearing ligaments in his right knee against Mississippi State. He needed surgery and about six months of rehab before he was cleared to return to practice.
Despite the injury, Lattimore was considered one of the Southeastern Conference's best running backs and a likely NFL first-round pick if he opted to leave school early.
This injury looked as devastating as in 2011 and could keep Lattimore off the field the rest of this year, too.