Playoffs? Playoffs?!? Yes Jim Mora, it’s time to talk about the playoffs as the college football Conference Championship Weekend kicks off. We’ve got nine games on the slate and a TON of College Football Playoffs impact. The top two teams will battle it out for bragging rights, a conference title, and in some cases to punch their ticket to the CFP. With so much on the line and such evenly matched teams, even the slightest advantage can determine the game.
Injuries are one of those factors that can completely flip the outcome of the game and there are some BIG ones to be aware of this weekend. College football injuries can be a bit of the Wild West but have no fear this conference championship weekend, I’m here to help. Let’s dive into the injury reports and find some value!
We’re in for a slate 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 Conference Championship Weekend!
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 Conference Championship Weekend
Jordyn Tyson (WR) Arizona State Sun Devils
Injury: Shoulder Injury
Injury Date: 11/30/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 4-6 months
Player Year: Sophomore
The Arizona State Sun Devils are one of the surprise teams of the year. Not many people, myself included, had them playing in the Big 12 Championship. Despite this good news, one of their star players kicks off this college football conference championship injuries article.
Sophomore WR Jordyn Tyson is officially out for the season with a shoulder injury. Head Coach Kenny Dillingham confirmed that he had season-ending surgery and the main concern is getting him healthy for next season. For this season, Arizona State still has all of their dreams in front of them but the loss of their best WR cannot be overstated.
To call Jordyn Tyson the team’s number 1 WR doesn’t even do it justice. Tyson has 40 more receptions, 600+ mor receiving yards and 5 more receiving TDs than any other player on the team. The next leading receiver is their do it all RB Cam Skattebo. This is a massive hit for a WR room that has been very underwhelming this season and will allow Iowa State to load the box to stop the run game. With starting QB Sam Leavitt and starting RB Cam Skattebo healthy the Sun Devils still have a shot, but this is a HUGE blow to the ASU passing game.
Trevor Etienne (RB) Georgia Bulldogs
Injury: Ribs Injury
Injury Date: 11/9/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Junior
It has been an up and down season for Georgia RB Trevor Etienne. After transferring in from the rival Florida Gators, Etienne started the season strong but has been hampered by injuries of late. He picked up a rib injury in the Mississippi State loss and has been unable to return to the field since.
Etienne is officially questionable for this SEC Championship game per the injury report released today. Based on head coach Kirby Smart’s comments, it sounds like he is practicing but still limited and not practicing in full. Rib injuries are painful injuries that lead to increased pain with twisting and cutting. This is also an injury that he will feel every time he is hit. At the four-week mark, Etienne should be able to play but the question is how effective he will be. Coming off a 19 carry, 3 TD day last time he played Texas, I would not expect that at all this time around. Expect freshman RB Nate Frazier to handle the bulk of the carries this week with Etienne still limited.
Kelvin Banks (LT) Texas Longhorns
Injury: Ankle Injury
Injury Date: 11/30/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
This next college football conference championship injury revolves around one of the top prospects in this NFL Draft class. Star LT Kelvin Banks is a projected first round draft pick and a major piece of this Longhorns offense. Unfortunately, he went down early in the game against Texas A&M last week and was unable to return. Despite emerging from the locker room in street clothes and a walking boot last Saturday, he still has a chance to play this week.
Depending on what type of ankle sprain Banks is dealing with, there can be a wide variety of recovery timelines. Using the fact that head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed he has practiced this week tells me that this is likely only a low ankle sprain and not a high ankle sprain. In minor cases, most players return in just 1-2 weeks from a low ankle sprain as opposed to 4-6 weeks from a high ankle sprain. Without confirmation of the injury type it is difficult to talk in absolutes, but based on the context clues I think Banks has a good chance to play against Georgia. His lateral mobility may be limited, and I fully expect him to play with a brace, but offensive linemen are tough. If only a low ankle sprain, Banks should be able to play and be effective.
Tyler Huff (QB) Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Injury: Ankle Injury
Injury Date: 11/30/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior
We continue on with another player dealing with an ankle injury heading into Conference Championship Weekend. Jacksonville State QB1 Tyler Huff is officially questionable for the Conference USA Championship game against Western Kentucky. We get a rare matchup of two teams playing each other in back-to-back week, only the stakes are much higher this time around.
QB Tyler Huff was unable to finish the game last week due to an ankle injury. He left the game and backup Senior QB Logan Smothers was forced into action. Smothers started the year at QB and is a capable runner but was quickly benched after poor performances to start the year.
With only 6 days to recover, Huff’s game status is squarely in question. He is reportedly practicing which is a good sign and likely means he only suffered a minor low ankle injury. The problem is Huff relies on his mobility almost as much as his arm. With less than a week to recover, an injury that forced him out of the game is unlikely to be fully healed. I think Huff will give it a go but will be limited in his mobility and at an elevated reinjury risk.
Jacksonville State quarterback Tyler Huff will be a gameday decision for the Conference USA title game against Western Kentucky, according to coach Rich Rodriguez.
He’ll be limited this week in practice after suffering an ankle injury during Saturday’s game against WKU. pic.twitter.com/tKXTq0vzem
— Thomas Ashworth (@_ThomasAshworth) December 3, 2024
Quinn Ewers (QB) Texas Longhorns
Injury: Ankle injury
Injury Date: 11/23/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Let’s continue this college football conference championship injuries article with one of the most impactful players in the sport. Every Texas Longhorns fan on the planet collectively held their breath when it was announced QB Quinn Ewers was undergoing an MRI for an ankle injury he picked up two weeks. Relax Austin, your QB will be just fine.
It has been reported that Ewers only suffered a mild low ankle sprain and was able to start last week. A low ankle sprain refers to damage to the lateral ligaments of the ankle. These ligaments are easily damaged and typically heal in 1-2 weeks. I expect him to be close to 100% this week against Georgia. Clearly the Texas medical staff agrees as he is no longer listed on the official SEC injury report released Friday.
Tez Johnson (WR) Oregon Ducks
Injury: Shoulder Injury
Injury Date: 11/2/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Senior
The Oregon Ducks are the number 1 team in the country and the last thing their fans want to see is their name on this college football conference championship injuries article. However, I bring some good news. Senior WR Tez Johnson was knocked out of the game a month ago with a shoulder injury and seen in a sling post-game. Despite the optics not looking great, it’s been reported that the injury is NOT season ending.
These reports were confirmed two weeks ago as Johnson took to Instagram to announce his return to practice. Johnson returning to the field is a HUGE boost for this team and their hopes for a National Championship. He is their best WR who leads the team in all receiving categories. He knocked off some rust last week against Washington and should be fully heathy against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship.
