The College Football Playoff race is heating up as we enter Week 9 of this awesome season. At this point in the season, every game is crucial in the quest for a National Championship. With FIVE Top 25 matchups, clear your calendars folks. We’re in for a Saturday full of primetime matchups. 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 9!
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 9
Players Ruled out
Oklahoma WR Deion Burks
Oklahoma WR Nic Anderson
Kentucky RB DeaMonte Trayanum
Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Missouri WR Mookie Cooper
Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson
Nebraska RB Rahmir Johnson
Louisville WR Caullin Lacy (redshirt – OUT for season)
SMU TE RJ Maryland – OUT for season
Oklahoma State QB Garret Rangel – Out for season
Kurtis Rourke (QB) Indiana Hoosiers
Injury: Thumb Surgery
Injury Date: 10/19/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Player Year: RS Senior
The Indiana Hoosiers have hands down been one of the most impressive teams this season. Not only have they been winning games, but they have been doing so in DOMINATING fashion. They are one of only two teams in the country to not be trailing for a single second this college football season. Unfortunately, a major reason for this miraculous turn around leads off this Week 9 college football injuries article.
Veteran QB Kurtis Rourke picked up a thumb injury during the team’s rout of Nebraska last week. He was quickly ruled out of the game and the injury required surgery earlier this week. The good news here is that he has a realistic return date of next week. Hand and finger injuries come with a very wide range of recovery timelines, meaning a return next week is not unrealistic. It would be unrealistic however, to expect Rourke to play and be productive this week. He is officially doubtful, but I fully expect Sophomore QB Tayven Jackson to be QB1 against Washington with College GameDay in town.
Brady Cook (QB) Missouri Tigers
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/19/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 weeks
Player Year: RS Senior
This college football Week 9 injury report continues on with another Senior QB unlikely to suit up this week. Missouri QB Brady Cook pulled a move straight out of the movies last week. He was injured early in the game, was taken to a local hospital for an MRI and somehow returned to the game and led his team to a comeback victory. Well my friends, adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
It has been reported that the Mizzou QB suffered a high ankle sprain last week, putting his availability for Saturday in serious doubt. A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments connecting the two bones in the lower leg. This syndesmosis is inherently a strong joint that requires a lot of force and damage to injure. This correlates to a typical recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks. This injury is much more serious than the normal low ankle sprain we think of when somebody rolls their ankle.
Now, it would not be impossible for Brady Cook to play against Alabama this weekend. Players have returned to play only one week after suffering a high ankle sprain. However, while possible, it is not advised. Not only will he be severely limited in his mobility, but he will be at an elevated reinjury risk. Missouri will either be rolling out Brady Cook on one leg or backup QB Drew Pyne this weekend in Tuscaloosa. Advantage Tide.
Sources: Missouri quarterback Brady Cook is considered doubtful for the game at Alabama this week with an ankle injury. He’s been “extremely limited” in practice so far this week. He still may try and ramp up later in the week to attempt to play, but the outlook is pessimistic. pic.twitter.com/tNZa3Wcmk2
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 23, 2024
Nate Noel (QB) Missouri Tigers
Injury: Foot Injury
Injury Date: 10/19/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 weeks
Player Year: RS Senior
Missouri finds another key piece of their offense dealing with an injury this week. Senior RB Nate Noel transferred in from App State this offseason and has been the lead back for the Tigers. Not only is he the team’s leading rusher by 150+ yards but he also is their most productive back, averaging almost 6 yards a carry. Mizzou will be without this production on Saturday in a hostile environment as he is officially ruled out with a foot injury. RB Marcus Carroll will be asked to step up and handle the bulk of the carries in Noel’s absence.
Travis Hunter (WR/CB) Colorado Buffaloes
Injury: R Shoulder Injury
Injury Date: 10/12/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Travis Hunter is one of the top three players in college football. There is not many things that can slow this man down on either side of the ball. However, injuries are one of those things. Hunter picked up a right shoulder injury two weeks ago against Kansas State and was unable to return. The injury specifics have not been disclosed but the good news is that he was not immediately ruled out. He was still dressed on the sidelines after half and it seems it was an injury he could have played through if absolutely necessary.
Colorado ultimately decided to air on the side of caution that game, but he was able to play last week after some assessment of Hunter’s shoulder. Despite being active, he was clearly limited and almost exclusively played offense last week. Headed into Week 9, the expectation is Hunter will be close to a full go and play significant snaps on both sides of the ball as is his norm. This is obviously a HUGE boost for this Colorado team as they host Cincinnati this week.
Grayson McCall (QB) NC State Wolfpack
Injury: Concussion
Injury Date: 10/5/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: Medically Retired
Player Year: RS Senior
This is the saddest college football injury news in Week 9. A legend has decided to hang up his cleats. Former Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall took a brutal hit a few weeks ago knocking him out of the game and causing a concussion. Typically this mild traumatic brain injury only results in a player missing one or two weeks. However, brain injuries are extremely variable from person to person, especially depending on their medical history. McCall announced this week that he has made the decision to medically retire from football.
Grayson McCall has retired from football pic.twitter.com/GdH1AHdylj
— Barstool Pack (@BarstoolPack) October 24, 2024
Benjamin Morrison (CB) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Injury: Hip Injury
Injury Date: 10/12/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 months
Player Year: Junior
Notre Dame’s toughest opponent this season may be the injury report. Fighting Irish players have frequented the college football injury report and Week 9 is no different. Defensive captain and one of the nation’s best prospects CB Benjamin Morrison carries the latest injury. He suffered a hip injury last week and it was deemed that surgery was necessary to treat the ailment.
Morrison has been officially ruled out for the season as he now turns his attention to getting ready for the NFL Combine and Draft. With college football playoff aspirations, this is clearly a big blow to one of the nation’s best secondaries. Notre Dame will have to turn to some younger faces to help full in for Morrison.
Haynes King (RB) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Injury: Upper Body Injury
Injury Date: 10/12/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
This Week 9 college football injury ends with some mystery. Star QB Haynes King was ruled out last week after being called “day to day” all week. He now carries the same label this week but official word on his status has not been provided. It was originally reported earlier this week that he would be out but head coach Brent Key was non-committal here. King picked up the injury late in the game two weeks ago .
If King is unable to return this Saturday against Virginia Tech, Veteran QB Zach Pyron will get the start in his place. Pyron is a real threat with his legs but not as proficient as a passer as King.
