Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer 13y

More surgery for Wisconsin's Curt Phillips

Wisconsin reserve quarterback Curt Phillips has had a setback in his recovery from two ACL tears and will undergo another surgical procedure today.

Phillips has undergone two ACL surgeries after suffering tears in his right knee in practice last March and again on Nov. 9. The redshirt junior seemed to be making a rapid recovery before the setback.

"It shouldn't be anything major, hopefully," Badgers coach Bret Bielema told local reporters following Thursday's practice. "Kind of just deal with the cards after they are there. If it's something they can take care of and clean up, hopefully, he'll be back full-time in June."

Wisconsin obviously wants Phillips to be back as soon as possible so he can push front-runner Jon Budmayr for the starting job. Redshirt freshman Joe Brennan and true freshman Joel Stave are the only other candidates in the mix.

But it's hard to envision Phillips, a player who relieves heavily on his mobility, to be 100 percent by fall camp or even the season. ACL surgeries shouldn't be taken lightly, and as impressive as Phillips' recovery has been, expectations should be tempered.

Again, until further notice, this is Budmayr's job to lose.

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