College football is in full swing as we head into Week 2 of the season! Unfortunately, we can’t have football without injuries, and the injury bug has started to pick up. There are a number of key players with major injury concerns as we look ahead to the weekend slate. Here are the most impactful college football injuries heading into Week 2!
Here is everything you need to know regarding the BIGGEST injuries on both sides of the ball. However, injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @TheDegenDoc!
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Most Impactful College Football Injuries Heading Into Week 2
Graham Mertz (QB) Florida Gators
Injury: Concussion
Injury Date: 8/31/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior
The Florida Gators season kicked off in embarrassing fashion. They were absolutely dominated by their in-state rival the Miami Hurricanes. To make matters worse, their starting QB leads off this Week 2 college football injury report. In the second half of the game, Mertz made an ill advised throw under pressure. Not only did it result in an interception but he also got sandwiched by two Miami defenders, forcing him to leave the game.
Mertz was unable to return to the game and has been diagnosed with a concussion. A concussion refers to a mild traumatic brain injury that leads to disruption in the function of the brain. The brain is vital in processing information and helping players to react quickly. The brain is also a very unique organ, with variability from person to person. A typical recovery time for a concussion is 1-2 weeks, with many players returning to play within a week of injury. However, this is not the case here. Mertz has been unable to practice and true freshman QB DJ Lagway has been preparing to start this week. Florida plays lowly Samford this week, giving the 5 star prospect a favorable matchup for the first collegiate start of his career.
John Emery Jr. (RB) LSU Tigers
Injury: ACL
Injury Date: 9/4/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 10-12 months
Player Year: Senior
This next Week 2 college football injury is a reminder of how brutal this sport can be. Senior LSU RB John Emery Jr. tore his right ACL late in the season last year, halting him dreams of the NFL. He decided to return for another year in college and had an impressive recovery as he worked his way back to being ready for Week 1, only 9.5 months after injury. This was an impressive feat to simply make it back to the field so soon, but he actually looked like LSU’s most explosive player last week. With high hopes for the season, unfortunately those dreams came crashing down this week.
Emery Jr. tore his left ACL in practice this week and will be OUT for the season. The ACL is a major stabilizing ligament of the knee and requires surgery to be repaired. This then comes with a lengthy 10-12 month recovery timeline. This is just an awful turn of events but the research does show an elevated injury risk when returning from a major injury such as an ACL tear.
With Emery Jr. out for the season, LSU will need to rely on backs Josh Williams and Kaleb Jackson to step up. This is a big blow to the offense but they will have some time to figure it out this week as they play Nicholls.
Some BIG College Football Injury News 🤕
LSU RB John Emery tore his L ACL today & is OUT for the season. Emery tore his R ACL on November 11th last season & had worked his way back with an impressive recovery timeline. Absolute BRUTAL for the dynamic RB 👎
Gators QB1 Graham… pic.twitter.com/QxLw3Vhsox
— Sebastian Fearon DPT, CSCS, OCS (@TheDegenDoc) September 5, 2024
Justus Ross-simmons (WR) Syracuse Orange
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Injury Date: Offseason
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Syracuse made some splash signings this offseason in the transfer portal. One of these was former Colorado State WR Justus Ross-Simmons, coming off 45 catches for 724 receiving yards last season. Unfortunately, Syracuse has been unable to see their new playmaker on the field yet. He has been dealing with a hamstring injury the past few weeks now and it looks like he will continue his support from the sidelines.
The transfer WR is not listed on the Week 2 depth chart and is doubtful to suite up this week. Syracuse has 23rd ranked Georgia Tech coming to town and they could use all the help they could get. Hamstring strains are pesky injuries that can’t be rushed due to their high reinjury rates. Hopefully he is able to return to practice soon and begin his ramp up for game action in the near future.
Max Johson (QB) North Carolina Tar Heels
Injury: Broken Leg
Injury Date: 8/29/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 months
Player Year: Senior
The college football season kicked off with an entertaining game between UNC and Minnesota last week. There was one major dark spot in the game however. 5th year QB Max Johnson had to be carted off the field after getting his leg bent awkwardly. Initial fears of a season-ending injury were later confirmed as Johsnon required surgery that night for his broken leg.
You have to feel for a player like Johnson who has dealt with injuries throughout his career and was looking for a fresh start with UNC. Coming into the first game, there was a true QB competition between Max Johnson and Sophomore QB Conner Harrell. Neither QB looked particularly good last week despite the Tar Heels picking up a win but with Johnson sidelined, it will be Harrell’s job for the rest of the season. UNC plays Charlotte and NC Central the next two weeks, meaning they have some time to build chemistry on offense with Harrell at the head of the offense.
Chip Trayanum (RB) Kentucky Wildcats
Injury: Hand Fracture
Injury Date: 8/13/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Player Year: Senior
Kentucky had some questions coming into the season regarding their RB situation. Transfer from Ohio State RB Chip Trayanum came in to help steady the ship. Unfortunately, while he was practicing last week, he suffered a broken hand. An expected recovery timeline of 3-4 weeks was given for the injury.
After missing Week 1, there was a chance he would be ready to suit up Week 2. Unfortunately, head coach Mark Stoops put an end to that hope. He ruled Trayanum out for this week against South Carolina. This will be a big loss for the Kentucky offense as they look to take care of their SEC rival this week.
Teddy Prochazka (LT) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Injury: Knee Injury – Season ending
Injury Date: 8/6/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 10-12 months
Player Year: Senior
This next Week 2 college football injury is simply brutal. Projected starting LT Teddy Prochazaka is out for the season with a knee injury. This is the third season-ending injury for Prochazaka in just four years.
Prochazka was looking to be an anchor for an offensive line that has a lot of moving parts. Unfortunately, an inexperienced player will step in to try to protect their freshman QB. This position will be put to the test as the rival Colorado Buffaloes come to town.
Tahj Brooks (RB) Texas Tech Red raiders
Injury: Arm Injury
Injury Date: 8/31/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: ??
Player Year: Senior
This next Week 2 college football injury looks like it will be a mystery up until game time. Texas Tech’s leading rusher from last season and one of their best overall players is questionable heading into a Week 2 matchup against Washington State. Senior RB Tahj Brooks injured his arm in Week during an impressive 150+ yard rushing performance. There are not many specifics being provided on the injury and the team is simply listing him as questionable. This is an injury where we will need to be on the lookout during pregame warm ups. Brooks is an important enough player to affect the outcome of this game.
Dontay Corleone (DT) Cincinnati Bearcats
Injury: Bloodclots
Injury Date: June
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-3 months
Player Year: Junior
The Cincinnati Bearcats received GREAT news this week as they prepare for the Pittsburgh Panthers. Junior DT and defensive leader Dontay Corleone has been cleared to play this week. The impressive defensive lineman was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs back in June and returned for his first practice in months this week. This vascular diagnosis can be fatal and quite scary, so the medical staff must have took an abundance of caution here. The concern comes from Corleone being unable to practice since this diagnosis. It is difficult to cram in an offseason of training and reps into a game week. Although a massive boost to this Cincinnati defensive line, I would expect him to be on a snap count this week.
Jaydn Ott (RB) California Golden Bears
Injury: Low Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 8/31/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Sophomore
This next college football injury is a huge difference maker in an interesting Week 2 matchup. Cal heads to Auburn this week to complete a home and home series from last year. Cal is a sizable underdog in this game with the potential of being without their best player. During the game last week, sophomore stud RB Jaydn Ott limped off the field after rolling his ankle. Thankfully it appears he only suffered a mild low ankle sprain and should be good to go for this week.
Low ankle sprains refer to damage to the lateral ligaments of the ankle due to the foot rolling inward. This is a fairly common injury that comes with a short recovery timeline. In minor cases such as this one, most players play the following week without much negative effect.
KyrOn Jones (QB) Virginia Tech Hokies
Injury: Leg Cramps
Injury Date: 8/31/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-3 days
Player Year: Senior
Despite a lot of hype entering the season, Virginia Tech kicked off their year with massive disappointment. They went on the road to Vanderbilt and got handed an overtime loss and double digit favorites. To make matters worse, their starting QB Kyron Drones appeared to be knocked out of the game. He was unavailable in overtime on a drive that eventually lost Virginia Tech the game.
Despite an embarrassing loss to Vanderbilt, there is some good news in the injury department. Drones appears to have only been dealing with some cramps during the game and he practiced in full on Wednesday. Expect Drones to be the starting QB as they take on Marshall.
