Buckle up folks. We are about to embark on arguably the best week of college football all season. We’ve got primetime matchups all over the slate and games with massive playoff implications. In these big games, even the slightest edges on the football field matter. Unfortunately, we can’t have football without injuries, and the injury bug has arrived in full force. 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 7!
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 7
Deion Burks (WR) Oklahoma Sooners
Injury: Soft Tissue Injury
Injury Date: 9/21/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 3-6 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Despite a 4-1 start, it has been a bumpy road for the Oklahoma Sooners, especially on offense. A team that typically advertises a prolific offense, has only scored 30+ points twice, despite playing some pedestrian competition. A large reason for the offensive struggles is the passing game. The Sooners are only averaging just under 170 passing yards per game. Unfortunately for the Oklahoma faithful, that will only become more difficult this week.
Junior WR Deion Burks leads the team with 26 catches, 201 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Although modest number through five games, Burks has been the team’s most consistent WR. However, that consistency will be interrupted this week as Burks has been ruled out with a soft tissue injury. He originally injured himself against Tennessee a couple weeks ago, and the hope was he would return after the bye week.
This is not only a big blow simply for Burks to be out, but that Sooners WR room has been decimated by injuries. The team has already ruled out their talented WRs in Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Andrel Anthony, and Jayden Gibson.
Colbie Young (WR) Georgia bulldogs
Injury: Arrested
Injury Date: 10/8/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: Suspended Indefinitely
Player Year: Senior
The Georgia Criminals are back at it again. Another player has been suspended from the Georgia football team after being arrested. Senior WR Colbie Young was charged with a domestic violence incident and was arrested earlier this week. It is hard to imagine that Young will play football again this season. Fellow WR RaRa Thomas was also dismissed from the team earlier this offseason due to an arrest.
Eric Gentry (LB) USC Trojans
Injury: Concussions
Injury Date: 9/7/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior
The USC Trojans will be out one of their leading tacklers as they prepare for a physical matchup against the Penn State Nittany Lions. LB Eric Gentry is a tackling machine but is unfortunately out indefinitely at this point in the season. He suffered two concussions in a span of four games, which is a scary place to be.
A concussion refers to a mild traumatic brain injury from a direct or indirect blow to the head. Although variable in recovery time, most players due return to playing in a week.
Nick Singleton (RB) Penn State Nittany Lions
Injury: ??
Injury Date: 9/28/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Looking ahead to a huge matchup in the Rose Bowl this week, there is another key player dealing with an injury. Fortunately for Penn state, the star RB is on pace to return this week after unforeseen absence. Singleton is averaging an impressive 7.7 yards a rush this season and is a massive boost for this Nittany Lion offense.
Eugene Wilson III (WR) Florida Gators
Injury: Meniscus Surgery
Injury Date: 9/7/24
Expected Recovery Timeline: 3 weeks – 4 weeks
Player Year: Sophomore
The Florida Gators have been an up and down team this college football season. Although we may not know which Florida team will show up Saturday, we do know the team is better with Eugene Wilson on the field.
Electric Sophomore WR Eugene Wilson picked up an injury several weeks ago during the best game of his career. Wilson put up over 140 yards and added a TD in a blow out win over lowly Samford. Unfortunately, it looks like he also picked up an injury along the way.
After a whole lot of uncertainty and question marks, the dynamic WR was ruled out the following week. Following a disappointing loss to Texas A&M, it was recently revealed that Wilson was dealing with a meniscus tear that required surgery.
There were some initial concerns on if Wilson was going to have a meniscectomy or a meniscus repair. A simple meniscus removal comes with only a 3-6 week recover window. A meniscus repair however, comes with a much longer recovery timeline of 4-6 months.
With Eugene Wilson now off the injury report and ready to return, it is clear the damaged piece of meniscus was simply removed. Despite being the first game off surgery, Wilson should not see a dip in production.
Cam Rising (QB) Utah Utes
Injury: Hand Injury
Injury Date: 9/7/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: RS Senior
Surprise, surprise. Utah Utes star fifth year senior QB Cam Rising is back on the college football injury report for Week 7. After having an impressive debut, as expected, off his ACL tear from two years ago, it only took two games for Rising to pick up another injury. Rising was carving up the Baylor Bears defense last week and unfortunately Baylor called in their secret weapon. The Utah QB was scrambling out of the pocket and got ran out of bounds and run right into the Gatorade coolers on the sidelines.
There was some immediate concern for the oft-injured quarterback as he went into the locker room early and came back out in street clothes. Thankfully, he seems to have dodged a major bullet. Rising injured the ring finger on his throwing hand but there is no fracture or season-ending injury.
After being medically cleared to play three weeks ago, coach Kyle Whittingham played his classic tricks. Despite Cam Rising taking all the 1st team reps in pre-game warmups, Rising ultimately did not play in a massive game against Oklahoma State.
It has been reported this week that despite being cleared to play, Rising was not 100% as he was having trouble gripping the ball and putting some velocity on his passes. He also missed the Arizona two weeks ago which ultimately lead to the Utes first loss on the season.
Although apprehensive to believe the news, it has been announced that Rising WILL START this week. With more than a month to heal this minor injury, Rising should be well rested and ready to go.
Utah QB Cam Rising will start Friday at Arizona State, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Rising hasn’t played since Sept. 7 vs. Baylor, when he injured the ring finger on his throwing hand, requiring stitches. Rising has missed Utah’s last 3 games
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 10, 2024
Carnell tATE (WR) Ohio State Buckeyes
Injury: Unspecified Injury
Injury Date: 9/28/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Sophomore
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate is another player who is dealing with an undisclosed injury. While we do not know much about the injury, what we do know is that he returned to practice this week. After being held out of the Iowa game, the Buckeyes WR3 is expected back in action this Saturday. Ohio State will need all hands on deck if they want to pick a road victory in Oregon this week.
Quinn Ewers (QB) Texas Longhorns
Injury: Abdominal Injury
Injury Date: 9/14/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Junior
On their way to a 56-7 beat down of instate opponent UTSA, Texas had quite the scare with their starting QB Quinn Ewers. The star QB was forced to leave the field with an oblique injury and there were concerns it was a significant injury.
Fortunately, after some testing the injury was not deemed to be severe or as bad as initially feared. Oblique injuries can be tricky to deal with as they affect many movements and actions you make on a daily basis. The rotational aspect of the oblique musculature is especially important when considering a QB throwing a ball.
After several weeks of rest and recovery, it is finally time for Ewers to return to action. What better time to return from injury than for the biggest rivalry game of the season. The Texas Longhorns get their QB1 back as they get ready for the Red River Shootout!
