Manuel to miss spring, Ponder to be limited

Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel underwent arthroscopic right shoulder surgery Friday, which will prevent him from participating in spring practice. Manuel is expected to be at full strength when the Seminoles open preseason camp on August 5.

"It went very well," FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher said of the procedure. "There was very minimal damage and he needed a little clean-up. He should be ready to go when we begin (preseason) practice."

A rising redshirt sophomore, Manuel led the Seminoles to a 3-1 record over the final four games of the 2009 season, following starter Christian Ponder's season-ending shoulder injury. Manuel completed 65 percent of his pass attempts for 817 yards and two touchdowns on the season, capped by his MVP performance in Florida State's 33-21 Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia. He also finished third on the team with 196 rushing yards and two scores.

Ponder, who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in total offense and was the league passing leader at the end of the regular season, is ahead of schedule in his recovery from right shoulder surgery and will participate in spring practice.

"Ponder is going to practice," said Fisher. "We'll limit what he does and build his arm strength, but he'll be full-go and will participate in scrimmages."

The Seminoles are scheduled to begin spring practice on March 16 and the 20-day session will culminate with the Garnet & Gold spring game on April 10.

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