By Andy Walter

NEWARK — Delaware quarterback Nolan Henderson will undergo surgery on Tuesday for a hernia that has bothered him most of the season.

But Blue Hen coach Danny Rocco stopped short of saying the injury is definitely a season-ending one for the Smyrna High grad.

Rocco said this morning that the estimated recovery time is roughly four to six weeks. Delaware (3-2) has six games remaining on its regular-season schedule.

“Having already had the surgery a year ago, the thought would be that in six weeks or so he’s probably going to be looking and feeling pretty good,” Rocco said on his CAA conference call this morning. “So I think a return in this cycle (season) is unlikely but I do feel really good about the prognosis of him being able to come back and be fully healthy and to perform at a really high level.

“Obviously I’m not saying he’s out for the season but I’m just offering the information I have.”

Rocco said the good news is that the injury shouldn’t be a career-ending one for Henderson, who was named first team on the CAA Preseason all-conference team this summer.

“When it’s all said and done, he’ll probably be chomping at the bit here before too long to be given an opportunity to try to get back,” said Rocco.

Rocco said Henderson is having surgery for two separate muscle tears in his abdomen. After missing playing time in several games this fall, he didn’t suit up for the Hens’ 22-15 loss at Rhode Island last Saturday.

Henderson seems determined to overcome this injury, as he has with others in his career.

“Dear Adversity, Thank you for the opportunity,” he posted on Twitter on Sunday.

“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,” Henderson also quoted.

Rocco, whose team plays at Stony Brook on Saturday, said it’s always difficult to watch a player deal with a serious injury.

“It’s probably one of the more difficult things about the game,” he said. “Our student-athletes put so much into their preparation. They really do pour their lives into the game — and Nolan at the highest level.

“He’s got some really unique skills as an athlete and as a quarterback. But some of the most impressive things about Nolan are the things that he does in the building and in the practice sessions and around his teammates. He’s just an extraordinary leader and of high character.”

Follow Andy Walter on Twitter at @DSNSports.