Jonathan Meldrum, Syracuse’s starting right tackle for much of this season, will be unable to continue his collegiate career due to arthritis in his right knee, according to a statement issued by SU Athletics Tuesday night. Team physician Dr. Irving Raphael has medically disqualified Meldrum from further football activities.

Meldrum enrolled at SU in January 2007, having already undergone two surgeries on the knee. He underwent another significant surgery in December 2007 after first feeling discomfort during spring practice that year. An MRI revealed the early stages of arthritis prior to the operation.

Though Meldrum went symptom-free for nearly two seasons, the arthritis symptoms returned in October of this year. He injured his left, non-arthritic knee during the Orange’s loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 7, which forced him out of SU’s remaining three contests.

Meldrum and Raphael met Sunday to discuss the offensive lineman’s future, according to the release. Raphael outlined the potential consequences of playing football to the arthritic knee and explained the possibility of developing arthritis in the newly injured left knee.

Raphael medically disqualified Meldrum from football activities Monday, with Meldrum’s acknowledgement and permission.

In three seasons with the Orange, Meldrum played in 28 games, including nine starts this season.

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Published on November 30, 2009 at 12:00 pm