Chapel Hill, N.C. - University of North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper had successful surgery on his left shoulder Wednesday (Jan. 18) to alleviate chronic inflammation he endured throughout the 2011 season. Â
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The surgery was performed by Dr. Jeff Spang at UNC Hospitals. Â Cooper's status will be updated at the beginning of UNC's spring practice in March.
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As a junior in 2011, Cooper started all 13 games and was one of the team's top offensive linemen. Â
Cooper helped pave the way for Giovani Bernard to become the first 1,000-yard rusher at UNC since 1997. Â A native of Wilmington, N.C., Cooper is Carolina's most experienced player with 35 career starts. Â
In addition, UNC true freshman Shakeel Rashad had knee surgery Thursday (Jan. 19) to repair the meniscus in his right knee. Â Rashad, a January enrollee, will not participate in spring practice and should return to action in approximately four months.