WEST LAFAYETTE − Throughout the spring, George Burhenn had emerged as one of Purdue football's top offensive playmakers.
The redshirt sophomore tight end suffered a setback, albeit one not as severe as it first appeared.
Burhenn left an April 5 scrimmage inside Mollenkopf Athletic Center on a cart and with an air cast on his leg after suffering an injury on the first play, a leaping attempt to make a catch in the end zone.
"He had surgery on Wednesday," Purdue head coach Barry Odom said after Saturday's spring showcase at Ross-Ade Stadium. "Really successful surgery. We expect him to be back full ready to go game one, which is great."
Burhenn played 11 games during the 2023 season, ending with a breakout performance where he caught 5 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in a win over rival Indiana. Burhenn suffered a broken foot last season and played in just four games.
Throughout spring camp under a new coaching staff, Burhenn stood out as one of the Boilermakers' top players.
Purdue lost its top two tight ends from last season to other Big Ten programs through the transfer portal: Max Klare to Ohio State and Drew Biber to Minnesota, opening the door for Burhenn to compete for the No. 1 tight end role.
The coaching staff brought three new tight ends to Purdue through the portal: Christian Earls and Christian Moore, both from UNLV, along with Luca Puccinelli from Wake Forest.
Burhenn spoke earlier this spring about the effects it had on him being out with an injury.
"That's all I've been hoping for this whole offseason is just being healthy and being back out here," Burhenn said last month. "I've just been trying my best to get my mental and physical state of my body right just because being hurt for a little bit takes a toll on you."
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football injury update: Tight end George Burhenn gets good ...
