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West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson suffers apparent injury during Thursday's game vs Virginia Tech

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•09/22/22
CJ Donaldson West Virginia transfer running back
(Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

West Virginia star running back C.J. Donaldson was injured early in the third quarter of Thursday night’s matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies. He spent some time getting his wrist looked at by the West Virginia athletic trainers. According to ESPN sideline reporter Harry Lyles, Jr., the Mountaineers’ head athletic trainer Vincent Blankenship told him that Donaldson had a contusion on his left hand and he was going to be fine.

Donaldson rushed for 84 yards on 17 carries before exiting with the injury. He returned to the game with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter.

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West Virginia currently leads the Hokies 23-10 with 14:13 left in the fourth quarter. The game is being nationally televised on ESPN. The Mountaineers have gashed the Hokies on the ground thus far, racking up 175 rushing yards between their trio of tailbacks, C.J. Donaldson, Justin Johnson, Jr., and Tony Mathis.

CJ Donaldson impressing early into WVU career

Donaldson is just a true freshman, with that most likely being the reason he is out on the field during special teams’ plays. Coming out of high school, he was listed as a tight end thanks to his 6’2, 215-pound frame. He has been making plays all over the football field the first few weeks for WVU.

He’s already rushed for over 100 yards in two different games during the 2022 campaign. Donaldson has also cleared the 300-yard rushing mark this season. He’s also tacked on six touchdowns on the ground. The gifted tailback blocked a punt against the Pittsburgh Panthers and demonstrated just how versatile a player he truly is.

Just a three-star prospect, Donaldson was the No. 115 player from the state of Florida. Only one other Power Five program offered, with the in-state Florida State Seminoles doing so. Early on, it’s seemingly a great find by West Virginia head coach Neal Brown.

On3’s Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this article.