WESSON — Transfer rules forced Javon Washington to miss his freshman football season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College last fall.

The former Natchez High School standout said sitting out from the game for a season left a void, and he was excited about returning to the field this season.

But earlier this month, Washington had another setback that put his sophomore season on hold.

On Aug. 4, the Co-Lin wide receiver was going up to catch a pass at practice and when he came down, he heard a pop in his knee, he said.

“I tore my ACL,” Washington said.

Doctors told Washington the injury would sideline him for six to eight months.

“I really wanted to be out there (this season),” he said. “But it’s something I have to deal with. It’s painful not to play this year after missing last year.”

Washington had surgery to repair the ligament tear last week, and he said he is currently on crutches and has to stay in bed for two weeks.

“(The surgery) was painful,” he said. “They put me to sleep, but it was painful afterwards.”

Washington said his focus is now on recovery and doing the best he can once he is healthy.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I just have to stay strong once I recover and still work with it. All I can do is get better. It can’t get any worse.”

Weeks of rehabilitation and recovery are ahead for Washington, but he said he hopes to get back out to the practice field and support his teammates when he can.

“Once I leave therapy, I’ll still watch practice,” he said.

Washington said he would return to class after his cast is removed.

The former Natchez High quarterback made the transition to wide receiver for Co-Lin. He said he had a productive spring practice and was hoping to earn a spot in the Wolfpack’s receiver rotation.