Suspended Clipper Jay Edwards Will Have Knee Surgery

Clipper guard Jay Edwards, on the suspended list since March 3 after failing an NBA-administered drug test, will undergo surgery Friday to repair the patellar tendon in his left knee, the team announced Wednesday.

Edwards missed most of training camp and then spent 43 games of the regular season on the injured list because of an ongoing problem with tendinitis in the knee. The operation, to be performed in Santa Monica by team physician Dr. Tony Daly, is expected to keep the former Big Ten player of the year off the basketball court for approximately 2 1/2 months.

Edwards, one of three rookies in the league to receive a season-long suspension after testing positive for an undisclosed drug, is also continuing treatment at the ASAP substance-abuse center in Van Nuys.