Washington Football: Huskies Running Back Deontae Cooper Faces 3rd ACL Tear

Washington Huskies running back Deontae Cooper hasn't had the easiest collegiate career to date. As of late Wednesday, it didn't get any better, either.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian announced on his blog that Cooper had suffered his third torn ACL and would miss the entire 2012 season. Not long after, former Husky and current NBA player Quincy Pondexter tweeted his disbelief.

"

Praying for Deontae Cooper. That kid needs a break for real

— Quincy Pondexter (@QuincyPondexter) August 9, 2012"

A break is definitely what Cooper needs, as he faces rehabilitation for the third time in three seasons. For the Washington Huskies, it's a sad loss going into 2012.

Sarkisian was expecting an "intense battle," according to CBSSports.com, between Cooper, Jesse Callier and Bishop Sankey for the starting job at running back.

While the Huskies will be fine without him as far as depth at the position, it is still something no one likes to see. Such a promising young man facing the same injury multiple times is heartbreaking.

It's immediately clear how devastated fans feels as they have begun to do little things to show their appreciation and support for Cooper. A Facebook page has been created, for instance, encouraging Husky fans to send notes and postcards to the injured running back.

Cooper had called himself a "competitor" in an interview early Wednesday with KJR-950AM in Seattle, and after all he has been through, it is clear that he is nothing short of that.

Even after a third ACL tear, it's clear that this is a running back that can never be counted out.