Grayson McCall injury report: Dave Doeren offers latest on NC State QB

Dave Doeren shared the latest update on NC State QB Grayson McCall on Monday.

Doeren opened his press conference to start this week with the news on McCall and his status.

“Got to spend time with Grayson and his family at the hospital after the game. All the scans and things they did came back clean. He was in good spirits,” said Doeren. “Has been released, actually on Saturday night, and has been with his girlfriend and his parents recovering.”

After returning to the lineup for the Wolfpack, McCall left in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Wake Forest due to an injury to his head. In trying to rush for a first down in the red zone, he ran into a trio of defenders for the Demon Deacons where he then fumbled into what was an 88-yard return. However, the only concern was about him at the moment as his helmet came off from that as he then laid on the field. He was carted off from there and then taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

In Doeren’s words, what happened to McCall was the most terrifying thing he has seen in nearly three decades on a collegiate sideline.

“In reflection, it was probably, in 30 years of being on a college field, the scariest moment I’ve had. Felt so bad for him and his parents,” said Doeren. “Thankful that he is, for the most part, okay. You know, it was just a concussion. When you see a guy get hit in college football or in pro football in the head, it’s one thing. But when the helmet comes off and then he gets hit, that’s another. That was a really weird thing.”

Since then, all the latest on McCall has been positive. That included his release from the hospital that day following his testing.

Before his exit, McCall completed three of five passes for 42 yards. He also had that rush that went for nine yards but also led to the fumble and his own injury.

Another injury had kept McCall out for the two games prior against Clemson and Northern Illinois. With that, CJ Bailey had played a lot over their last three outings, including being the starter in those two. He then came in as a reserve again versus Wake Forest and went 28-42 (66.7%) for 272 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Those were all season-highs for the true freshman but wasn’t enough in what was a four-point loss on Saturday.

Now, from here, McCall will go through the necessary steps of the protocol for his concussion. Only after that will they be able to decide when he can get back to playing at all for the Wolfpack this season.

“He’s in the concussion protocol and we’ll give him time, you know, to go through all the steps that he wants to go through before we talk any more about, kind of, what the next steps are,” said Doeren. “I think it’s only fair to him and his family to allow them that opportunity and be supportive of him as he goes through this tough time.”

“Talked to him on the phone a little bit ago. He’s in good spirits. He’s excited to be back around the team and we’ll go through all the proper steps with him and be there right behind him,” Doeren said. “He just has given the game so much. He’s such a competitor, he’s such a warrior. I know, myself and everybody around here, we’re pulling hard for him.”