Mike Elko on Rueben Owens season-ending injury: 'It pains me'

Injuries are a part of football, but the wrong injuries before the season even begins just hit differently. Such was the case for Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens.

He was having a terrific offseason and was set to star in the Aggies backfield before a practice injury ended his 2024 campaign.

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“Listen, it hurts me for Rueben,” coach Mike Elko said on his weekly radio program. “He had such an offseason. He’s had such a great offseason. I think he was primed to have a great year for us. But it’s a part of the game. So it pains me that he’s not going to be able to go out and do what he needs to do.”

Rueben Owens was a 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team selection after rushing for 385 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Owens also recorded 12 catches for 109 yards. He got work in on special teams, too, tallying 12 kick returns for 249 yards.

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His 743 all-purpose yards led all true freshmen in the SEC in 2023.

Replacing him won’t be easy.

“But from a team standpoint Le’Veon Moss has had a great offseason,” Elko said. “We anticipated him being a huge piece of what we were doing, if not the lead back anyway. And then you’ve got Amari Daniels and EJ Smith that are ready to step in and provide us the depth that we need.”

Smith is the son of NFL legend Emmitt Smith. He has battled injuries but is coming off the most productive season of his career, racking up 218 yards rushing and a touchdown while also catching 33 passes for 242 yards.

He’ll be one option to replace Rueben Owens.

Daniels led the team in rushing last season with 532 yards and six touchdowns on 105 carries. Moss was right behind with 484 yards and five touchdowns on 96 carries.

So there are ample reasons to believe Texas A&M can offset the loss of Rueben Owens.

“We feel good with where we are, and I’m really excited for LeVeon to see what he can do,” Elko said.

“I think all three of those guys are, and I think people forget, too, Amari Daniels led us in rushing. EJ Smith led Stanford in rushing. So I’m not trying to diminish Rueben’s loss, because it is a big loss and we’re going to miss him, but we do have some very capable backs in the backfield.”