By Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Who would've thought the second biggest question surrounding star cornerback Blessuan Austin would be whether he will play the rest of this season?

Don't Edit

@BlessuanAustin | Twitter.com

But that's what happened Monday, when Rutgers coach Chris Ash was pressed on whether he addressed a tweet made by Austin in the wake of Saturday's 55-14 loss at Kansas.

Austin, one of the Scarlet Knights' team leaders, appeared to mock Ash's post-game quote on his Twitter account.

Don't Edit

"Sometimes these things take four, five, even six years,'' Ash said, referring to the Rutgers rebuild. "I've seen it when I was at Iowa State — it was our sixth year when we went to a bowl game. We're not trying to wait that long. We want to win as fast as we can. But we want to do it the right way.''

Hours later, Austin tweeted: " '4 to 5, 6 year rebuild’ Lol''

Austin deleted the tweet, then attempted to walk back the comment:

Don't Edit

Just frustrated i cant be on the field wirh my brothers , thats all — Blessuan Austin (@BlessuanAustin) September 16, 2018

Austin, who wasn't made available to be interviewed Sunday or Monday, said his frustration stemmed from not being "on the field with (his) brothers.''

Arguably Rutgers' best NFL prospect, Austin has missed the past two games after reaggravating the knee injury that kept him out for all but four games last season.

On Monday, Ash said Austin will "most likely'' miss the rest of the season.

"Blessuan will have surgery this Friday,'' Ash said. "They’re going to go and look at his knee. Not sure exactly what they’re going to have to do, but they’ll go in and potentially have to re-do his ACL repair.’’

Don't Edit

Big Ten power rankings

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

As for how Ash addressed Austin's tweet, the Rutgers coach told NJ Advance Media during his weekly news conference Monday that he addressed the issue with Austin.

"Bless and I talked, yes. What Bless and I talked about will stay between Bless and I,'' Ash said. "Bless is one of my favorite players. He’s very passionate. Obviously going through a difficult time with the injury, not being able to play. He loves football. He loves this football team. It’s a tough time for him as he getting ready for surgery.

"But he and I have talked, and I love the kid.''

Don't Edit

Rutgers has lost DB Blessuan Austin to a likely season-ending injury.



Frustrated, he tweeted a quote mocking Chris Ash. The two have talked, and they are fine.



"Bless is one of my favorite players; he's very passionate." pic.twitter.com/JmCLmvX9Sw — Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 17, 2018

A senior cornerback from Queens, N.Y., who suffered the injury while snagging a leaping interception in the second quarter of the Scarlet Knights' 35-7 season-opening triumph over Texas State, Austin went into the season projected as an early-round 2019 NFL Draft pick.

Don't Edit

Austin tore the ACL in his knee in Rutgers' fourth game last fall, and ended up missing the remainder of the season.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback, who has started 26 of the 29 games he's played in since 2015, said he seriously contemplated entering the draft last spring.

"Honestly I did (consider it),'' Austin said in May. "But I made the decision to come back and it's definitely a decision I do not regret at all.''

Don't Edit

Austin focused on his rehabilitation and drew widespread praise from Rutgers' coaches for his training-camp performance.

In addition to the interception, Austin recorded three tackles and a sack in just 18 minutes of action against Texas State.

While Austin could apply for a medical redshirt for both the 2017 and '18 seasons, the most likely scenario is he's played his last game at Rutgers.

"We haven’t had those conversations,'' Ash said, referring to the possibility of Austin returning. "That’s going to be up to Bless and what he feels is best for him. We’ll support him in whatever he feels is best for him and his future.''

Don't Edit

AP Top 25 poll ballot

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.