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Toney Baker's 2007 season lasted one game, and his 2008 won't happen at all. The N.C. State tailback, whose 10,241-yard output at Ragsdale High School remains the third-highest career rushing total in prep football history, was officially ruled out for this season on Thursday, a few weeks after his second knee operation in 11 months.

The latest revelation, which came via the program's weekly injury-update press release, is more grim than statements issued last month. At that time, the school said Baker had undergone a follow-up procedure to clean up the "residue" of the original operation, a microfracture surgery required after he sustained cartilage damage in last year's season-opener. Doctors anticipated Baker would play at some point this season, but that diagnosis has apparently changed.

Attempts to reach coach Tom O'Brien were unsuccessful on Thursday.

Coaches have become reluctant to discuss injuries in light of relatively new federal privacy laws.

The loss of a second season does not portend well for any football player, and that's particularly true of running backs, whose professional careers are generally among the shortest of any position in the NFL.

In theory, the elimination of 2008 should make Baker, who is in his fourth year at State, eligible for a sixth year of eligibility if he recovers sufficiently to seek it. Under NCAA rules, players normally have five years in which they may compete four, but that timetable can be extended in the case of extraordinary medical misfortune. Because Baker missed more than 70 percent of last year and did not compete in the second half of the season, he could be granted a fifth year in 2009. State would have to appeal for the sixth year after the 2009 season.

Long-term results of microfracture surgery are mixed, but doctors generally express optimism with athletes of Baker's age.

Baker averaged nearly 10 yards a carry at Ragsdale and was frequently removed from action in the second half of lopsided games. He still eclipsed the 10,000-yard mark, and he trails only Ken Hall of Sugar Land, Texas, who ran for 11,232 yards from 1950-53, and Michael Hart of Onondaga, N.Y., who racked up 11,045 yards from 2000-03.

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rob.daniels@news-record.com