West Virginia gives promising update on CJ Donaldson after scary injury
West Virginia freshman tight end-turned-running back CJ Donaldson has been cleared to travel home with his team from Austin after sustaining a head injury in the third quarter against Texas, the team announced late on Saturday.
Donaldson was cutting back looking for the hole on a run play when he was wrapped up from behind and took a knee to the head while going down. He remained stationary on the turf for an extended period before being carted off.
“CJ has been cleared to travel home with us tonight. Credit to the WVU and UT medical teams for their outstanding care,” head coach Neal Brown said in the update on Donaldson.
Donaldson had been a revelation for the Mountaineers this season at running back despite coming to the team as a tight end — a bit of a bright spot for a team that’s been stuck in a rut this season.
Donaldson had four carries for nine yards and one catch for four yards before leaving the game. Texas won, 38-20.
Donaldson going down created a somber moment in the Texas-West Virginia game
After a simple run to the right side, Donaldson went down to the ground and stayed still. West Virginia’s medical staff immediately rushed over to him to treat a head injury.
CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel
The stretcher was brought onto the field as both West Virginia and Texas players prayed on the field. A scary moment for the freshman and everybody involved.
“He was completely knocked out, we were told,” Fox’s Tim Brando said during the broadcast.
As Donaldson was being brought onto the cart and taken out of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, the entire West Virginia team gathered around. Texas’ squad was not much further back, looking over the running back.
News has come out during postgame, saying Donaldson can move his extremities. A positive development for the West Virginia running back.