Report: Brandon Harris played with sports hernia, surgery scheduled

In the latest interesting news of the early days of LSU's offseason, Ross Dellenger of the Advocate is reporting that quarterback Brandon Harris has surgery scheduled to repair a sports hernia that he played with through the final games of the regular season.

Confirming this news. Harris suffered injury vs Bama. Surgery is Tuesday I'm told, but either way... https://t.co/nmtUVyJnXK

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 4, 2016

Per the report, Harris suffered the injury in the Alabama game and played through it for LSU's remaining three regular season games and the Advocare Texas Bowl.

For those wondering, a sports hernia is defined as "a painful, soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. It most often occurs during sports that require sudden changes of direction or intense twisting movements. Although a sports hernia may lead to a traditional, abdominal hernia, it is a different injury" by Ortho Info.org, the website of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Dellenger reports that Harris' recovery should last about six weeks and he should be ready for LSU's spring practices. While this news doesn't totally excuse Harris' alarming regression through the season's final month, it does explain some things, particularly his awful mechanics and inaccuracy down the field -- the core rotation necessary for power throws would be really painful with a sports hernia. It also makes his improved performance in the bowl game a little more encouraging.