College Football Injury Roundup: Ricky Pearsall, R.J. Hubert and More

As the date creeps closer to hearing the roar at every college football stadium on opening day, the number of injuries that could affect week one matchups is staggering. Some players are returning from injuries last season, while others are recovering from recent injuries. Each team will have to adjust to win week one.

Fall Camp Injuries:

Ricky Pearsall, WR, UF:

Ricky Pearsall suffered two bone bruises to the metatarsal on his left foot. He’s been labeled day-to-day and has been wearing a no-contact jersey for the last two weeks.  His head coach told reporters that he expects him back this week. Fall camp ends on Wednesday. Pearsall is a transfer from Arizona State, totaling a career-high in receiving yards (580). But, his bone bruise could reportedly cause him to miss 1-2 months based on how serious his discomfort level is. Since he suffered the injury two weeks ago, he could be ready for opening day but might be slightly hobbled.

R.J. Hubert, S, Utah:

After suffering multiple-season knee injuries, fifth-year safety R.J. Hubert decided to return to Rice-Eccles Stadium.  In the team's Pac-12 championship game against Oregon in 2019, he suffered a torn ACL. Then after only playing limited time during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Hubert suffered another ACL tear in the team’s spring game. Despite two season-ending knee injuries, Hubert said he feels excellent after over a year of recovery. His head coach said to reporters if the season started tomorrow, he would be one of the team’s starting safeties.

Payton Wilson, LB, NC State:

Payton Wilson’s career with the Wolf Pack has been riddled with injuries, and last season during a game against Mississippi State, he hurt his left shoulder. The injury caused him to miss the rest of the season. His shoulder injury required a specific surgery called a Bristow procedure, which treats the instability within his shoulder caused by shoulder blade issues. Wilson said he knocked some bone off his joint, and the doctors had to replace it. After the surgery, Wilson had complications that resulted in losing weight for a couple of weeks after he got an infection. Wilson returned to practice last week and is looking to play this season.

Maurice Smith, OL, FSU:

After a season-ending injury to grad-transfer center Kayden Lyles the Florida State Seminoles will need to lean on their former starter Maurice Smith to man the middle. But, Smith’s head coach, Mike Norvell, said he’s been banged up throughout camp and is expected to miss their week zero game against Duquesne this Saturday. Smith started eight games for Florida State and battled through injuries last season. Since both centers have gone down, the team has worked out Darius Washington and Thomas Schrader as the two backup centers.