JED ADCOCK and the Brisbane Lions are breathing a sigh of relief after receiving news that the rebounding defender will not require a complete knee reconstruction.
Adcock, 23, fell awkwardly in the opening minutes of Saturday night's clash with Geelong and took no further part in the 43-point win after being helped off the ground in obvious pain.
Initial tests carried out by the club's medical staff pointed to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which would have required corrective surgery that would have not only ruled him out for the rest of this season, but also a large portion of the next.
However, in a statement released on Thursday the Lions announced that scans had revealed a tibial plateau fracture of his right knee that will not require any surgery at all.
Adcock's expected recovery period of 10-12 weeks still rules him out of the club's 2009 campaign, but he is expected to be able to take part in the Lions' full pre-season program.
The loss of Adcock is a major blow to the Lions with the important defender playing all 15 games for the side this season and averaging just over 20 disposals per match.
The injury continues a wretched run for the club which has battled through the year with players of the calibre of Joel Patfull, Jamie Charman, Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Merrett and Josh Drummond all spending significant time sidelined.
