Mario Cristobal gives positive update on Kam Kinchens after scary injury: 'relatively normal'
Miami safety Kam Kinchens sustained what appeared to be a serious injury to his head and neck area. But the update after the game from head coach Mario Cristobal was promising.
Kinchens was ultimately carted off the field after sustaining an injury in the second half against Texas A&M. As he was down and getting help, reactions from teammates and opposing players seemed to reflect the severity of the situation.
But after Miami pulled out a victory, Cristobal said Kinchens was already taking a step in the right direction as his health was “relatively normal,” according to Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami won, 48-33, behind a strong offensive showing and moves to 2-0 on the season while avenging a loss at Texas A&M last season.
The injury occurred on a fourth and eight for the Aggies from their own 27-yard line. Texas A&M’s quarterback Conner Weigman found wide receiver Ainias Smith to beat the Hurricanes zone. Kinchens came in low to make the tackle, taking Smith to the ground. But as the Aggies wideout got up from the ground, Kinchens lay there motionless, prompting an immediate injury timeout.
According to the ESPN broadcasting crew, Kinchens was alert and aware. Unfortunately, they did not notice any movement in the lower part of his body. Kinchens was taken to a nearby trauma unit for further evaluation.
Miami was shorthanded in the second half to begin with
Two Miami starters were ruled out for the second half against Texas A&M, according to ABC’s Katie George. Both Branson Deen and Akheem Mesidor will be on the sidelines as they deal with “lower extremity injuries.”
Deen didn’t have a stat vs. the Aggies before getting hurt while Mesidor had three tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Miami and Texas A&M went back and forth in the early going, just as Jimbo Fisher thought they would. Tyler Van Dyke looked good through the first two-plus quarters, totaling 235 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-17 passing to start the game.
Miami and Cristobal had to be able to contain the Aggies’ offense led by Weigman, as well as offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
“It’s a lot of years of great offenses, right,” Cristobal said. “He’s done it every way imaginable. He knows how to use his pieces, they’ve got some great pieces over there — They got off to a great start. They got a great quarterback and he’s got some great supporting cast members.”