Scooby Wright out a month following surgery

Sep 7, 2015, 5:22 PM | Updated: 5:22 pm

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III before an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright will miss up to a month after undergoing surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.

Wright suffered a lateral meniscus tear during Thursday’s 42-32 win over UTSA and had surgery on Saturday. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday that he expects him to miss four weeks.

“Scooby’s thing, fortunately, is something that he got fixed and actually I think he’s going to come back even stronger than he was before,” Rodriguez said. “And knowing Scooby, he will be chomping at the bit, but we will make sure, and trainers will make sure, that when he is coming back, he’s coming back 100 percent ready to go.”

Wright is expected to miss the next four Wildcats’ games with non conference opponents Nevada and Northern Arizona and PAC-12 opponents UCLA and Stanford. He is expected to return Oct. 10 when the Wildcats host Oregon State.

With Wright out, Arizona will turn to senior Haden Gregory, who walked on from junior college before the 2013 season.

“He’s a big kid and he’s pretty athletic,” Rodriguez said. “It’s hard to compare a guy to Scooby because Scooby is one of the best defensive players in the country, but I thought Haden came in and made some plays, was pretty active. It was his first extended action there, so I think he will get better from that, and he’s going to have to.”

Wright hurt his knee on a non-contact play and attempted to return to the field after being examined by trainers but ultimately pulled himself out of the game.

The junior won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2014. He totaled 163 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and six forced fumbles.

The Associated Press contributed to this story

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Arizona safety Jamar Allah (7) celebrates with Anthony Lopez (28) and Haden Gregory after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA running back Jalen Rhodes (28) scores a touchdown against Arizona during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) and Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones battle for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) sits on the bench after hurting his knee against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA tight end David Morgan II (82) stiff arms Arizona safety Will Parks during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III limps off the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones (1) breaks the tavkle on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon throws down field against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz (4) throws down field against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver Cayleb Jones draws the interference penalty on UTSA cornerback Bennett Okotcha (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona wide receiver David Richards (4) celebrates with Cayman Bundage after scoring a touchdown against UTSA during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA's Jarveon Williams (2) runs for a first down against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona fans cheer before an NCAA college football game against UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA quarterback Blake Bogenschutz warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon passes before an NCAA college football game against the UTSA, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

UTSA head coach Larry Coker, left, and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez talk before an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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