Texas Tech DB Cameron Watts stretchered off field vs. Texas after collision with teammate

Texas Tech defensive back Cameron Watts left Friday’s game against Texas on a cart after colliding with a teammate in the third quarter. Watts went to make a tackle on a punt return by Xavier Worthy, but wound up running into Nehemiah Martinez with his helmet on the play.

Watts was on the turf for some time after the injury as the trainers tended to him. The medical staff then brought the cart out, and he left on a backboard. The ABC broadcast said he was moving his arms after the hit.

Texas Tech later announced Watts had been released from the hospital and will travel back to Lubbock with the Red Raiders. After the game, coach Joey McGuire said he had some pain in his neck, but there much else “worrisome,” according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams.

“Cameron Watts has checked out OK medically, a Texas Tech athletics spokesman said, and is expected to fly back to Lubbock with the team tonight,” Williams tweeted. “Joey McGuire said he had neck pain, but no other worrisome signs.”

Watts has played mostly on special teams this year, notching seven tackles in 11 games as a senior.

Texas Tech struggled mightily throughout Friday’s game, and it didn’t get any better as things went along. The latest tough break came on a pick-six that went off Tahj Brooks’ foot and into Jett Bush’s hands, and he took it to the end zone to make it a 50-7 Texas lead.

It was a huge night for Texas, which needed a victory over Texas Tech to punch its ticket to the Big 12 Championship. The Longhorns did just that, handling the Red Raiders 57-7. They’re officially heading to Arlington — even if they don’t know their opponent.

It was a complete performance from Texas, which got big performances on all three sides of the ball. Keilan Robinson had the biggest day with a rushing touchdown in the first half and a 95-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Jaydon Blue also added a touchdown, Quinn Ewers threw for a score and the defense added a huge pick-six from Jett Bush to help seal the victory.

Texas checked in at No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. It hasn’t always been easy, though, with multiple injuries and close games along the way. Still, Sarkisian’s group has stayed the course, and he said that would be the key heading into Friday’s game with so much happening around the program.