Cartevious Norton injury update: Alex Golesh reveals latest on USF RB after hospitalization

After suffering a scary injury against Charlotte, USF running back Cartevious Norton was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Bulls coach Alex Golesh shared the latest on his condition in the postgame press conference.

Norton went down while trying to punch in a fourth-quarter touchdown against Charlotte, his former team. He then stayed on the turf for several minutes, though two commercial breaks on the ESPN2 broadcast, as the trainers tended to him.

As Norton headed off the field, he flashed a thumbs up to the crowd before going to the hospital. Golesh said that was out of abundance of caution, and he planned over to Tampa General Hospital Friday night.

“First, with Cartevious Norton, they took him to TGH. Precautionary,” Golesh said in his opening statement. “Just wanted to make sure everything was good. They say he’s doing alright. We’ll head over there and make sure he’s in a good spot. Obviously, praying that nothing terrible, and we’ll continue to think about him. That’s probably why the somber mood for us.

“You never want to see that. As a dad and, certainly, as his coach, it’s an eerie deal. But praying that everything is already and God’s hands are all over him.”

Norton took 13 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown at the time of his departure. ESPN2 sideline reporter Marilyn Payne then confirmed he headed to TGH for further evaluation.

“Cartevious Norton, the Charlotte transfer now on South Florida’s team, has left in an ambulance,” Payne said on the broadcast. “He is being transported to Tampa General Hospital, which is the closest Level I trauma center. Again, he was immobilized. They had a neck brace on him, and he did give the thumbs up as he left the stadium before being placed in the ambulance.”

Norton began his career at Iowa State before transferring to Charlotte last season. In two years with the Cyclones, he totaled 655 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He became the lead back for the 49ers in 2024, though, as he took 129 carries for 525 yards and seven touchdowns.

Through four games at USF this year, Norton had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the year. That put him fourth on the Bulls’ roster heading into Friday’s American Conference opener against Charlotte.

USF started out the season strong, flying past then-No. 25 Boise State in the opener, 34-7. Then, the Bulls got a signature victory under Golesh, using a walk-off field goal to stun then-No. 13 Florida in Gainesville, fueling the hype machine as a potential College Football Playoff contender.

After falling to Miami, USF bounced back with a resounding win over SC State. The Bulls then used a strong first half to get a conference win in the opener over Charlotte, 54-26, at Raymond James Stadium. Byrum Brown led the charge with 211 passing yards and four touchdowns to go with a team-leading 162 rushing yards and a touchdown.