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Well folks, all good things must come to an end. College Football Week 14 brings a conclusion to one of the best regular seasons we have seen in years. It’s not all bad news though, as this season saved its best for last.
Despite being late November, we are in for a jam packed week of meaningful football games, which is a refreshing change. The 12 team College Football Playoff has brought us a lot more high-pressure matchups and a lot less opt outs. With everything on the line for multiple teams around the country, every variable must be taken into consideration. The injury front is a massive factor when handicapping these games and in the Wild West of college football injuries, I’ve got you covered. For one las time this season, let’s dive into the injury reports and find some value!
We’re in for a slate full of primetime matchups. In these big games, even the slightest edges on the football field matter. Unfortunately, we can’t have football without injuries, and the injury bug has arrived in full force. There are a number of key players with major injury concerns as we look ahead to the weekend slate. Here are the most impactful college football injuries heading into Week 14!
Here is everything you need to know regarding the BIGGEST injuries on both sides of the ball. However, injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @TheDegenDoc!
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Most Impactful College Football Injuries Heading Into Week 14 115o5y
Players Ruled Out 1r5m1l
Michigan TE Colston Loveland
Michigan CB Will Johnson
Pittsburgh QB Eli Holstein
Iowa WR Reece Vander Zee
Oklahoma WR Deion Burks
Vanderbilt RB AJ Newberry
Colorado WR Jimmy Horn
Virginia RB Xaiver Brown
Missouri WR Mookie Cooper
Northern Illinois RB Antario Brown
Kansas RB Daniel Hishaw
Utah QB Isaac Wilson
WVU WR Jayden Bray
WVU WR Traylon Ray
Nevada RB Patrick Garwo
Quinn Ewers (QB) Texas Longhorns 1f6h1p
Injury: Ankle injury
Injury Date: 11/23/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Junior
Let’s kickoff this Week 14 college football injuries article with one of the most impactful players in the sport. Every Texas Longhorns fan on the planet collectively held their breath when it was announced QB Quinn Ewers was undergoing an MRI for an ankle injury he picked up last week. Relax Austin, your QB will be just fine.
It has been reported that Ewers only suffered a mild low ankle sprain and is fully expected to start this week. A low ankle sprain refers to damage to the lateral ligaments of the ankle. These ligaments are easily damaged and typically heal in 1-2 weeks. Although his lateral mobility may be slightly limited, I expect him to wear an ankle brace and be fine. The Junior QB has the chance to lead his team to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and cement his legacy in Austin Saturday night. Quinn Ewers will be alright, alright, alright this week against rival Texas A&M.
Good news! I’m told Texas QB Quinn Ewers only has a mild ankle sprain and will be good to go for Texas A&M on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/57u7usHq35
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) November 24, 2024
Zakhari Franklin (WR) Illinois Fighting Illini 156r15
Injury: Leg injury
Injury Date: 11/23/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior
One half of the Fighting Illini’s dynamic WR duo finds himself battling an injury in Week 14 of this college football season. Senior WR Zakhari Franklin is having a decent season, but it has been hampered by nagging injuries. He was cleared to play last week against Rutgers but picked up a minor injury early in the game and was unable to return.
Despite the recent setback, Franklin is expected to play this week. Although we don’t know the specifics of the injury, head coach Bret Bielema described it as a “soft tissue” injury and expected him to play even early in the week. Given his early confidence, the injury is likely minor and won’t affect his play on Saturday. Illinois will have their dynamic duo WR corps back on the field for the final game of the regular season.
Dillon Bell (WR) Georgia Bulldogs 1y1w3v
Injury: Ankle injury
Injury Date: 11/16/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Junior
One of the most dynamic players in college football finds himself on the injury report in Week 14. Georgia Junior WR Dillon Bell has been a playmaker in both the receiving and rushing game this season. He is third on the team in BOTH rushing and receiving yards this year. Unfortunately, he picked up an ankle injury early on in the game against Tennessee and was unavailable for the game last week.
For this week, his status remains in the air. He has been able to return to practice but is still clearly limited. Head coach Kirby Smart told reporters that he was able to participate in walk-throughs and some reps but is not a full go yet. Ankle injuries come with a wide variety of recovery times. If this is just a low ankle sprain, Bell has a great shot to play this week. However, if this is a high ankle sprain, Bell has virtually no shot to return. This will be one to watch all the way up until kickoff, but he is squarely questionable for Friday night against Georgia Tech.
Deontae Lawson (LB) Alabama Crimson Tide 134164
Injury: Leg injury
Injury Date: 11/23/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 6-9 months
Player Year: Junior
Just in case Alabama fans weren’t having a bad enough week, let’s add injury to insult. Junior inside linebacker Deontae Lawson has been one of the leaders of this Crimson Tide defense. He is the team’s second leading tackler and simply does everything for this defense. Not only a stat stuffer but he also dawns the green dot as the signal caller on defense. Unfortunately, Lawson likely played his last snap for the Tide last Saturday.
Early on in their beatdown from the Oklahoma Sooners, Lawson picked up a leg injury and was quickly ruled out of the game. A quick decision to shut a player down from the medical staff is NEVER a good sign and this proved true in this case. Lawson has been ruled out for the season and is reportedly dealing with a significant leg injury. The Tide will miss his presence on Saturday and for whatever postseason lies ahead of them.
Sources: Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a significant leg injury against Oklahoma. He went down with the injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. pic.twitter.com/tNxrKhabIY
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 25, 2024
Cade McNamara (QB) Iowa Hawkeyes 4j543v
Injury: Concussion/Quit?
Injury Date: 10/26/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 1-2 weeks
Player Year: Senior
The Iowa Hawkeyes tried to stray from their typical run heavy ways this season and it led them right back to where they started. A big reason for this is the next injury on this Week 14 college football injury report. Senior QB Cade McNamara got knocked out of the game a month ago against Northwestern and has been sidelined with a concussion since. There was some optimism he would return last week as he was back at practice but that was short lived. Despite McNamara defending his own honor and stating he would play this week in the below tweet; he is not on the depth chart against Nebraska.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that is caused by a direct or indirect blow to a player’s head. It leads to a disruption of brain function and negatively impacts one’s processing speed and decision making. Both of these are essential to the QB position. Typically, players are able to return in 1-2 weeks following a concussion. Symptoms are extremely variable however, so it is not unheard of for a player to miss more time. This is especially common when a player has a bad reaction to a practice or increase in physical activity as McNamara stated below. Whether it really is all the concussion or some other factors, Iowa’s QB1 against Nebraska will be Jackson Stratton. In true Iowa fashion, Stratton was playing scout team linebacker earlier this season. Expect a HEAVY dose of Kaleb Johnson.
— Cade McNamara (@Cademac_12) November 22, 2024
Tre Harris (WR) Ole Miss Rebels 666i42
Injury: Groin Injury
Injury Date: 10/19/2024; 11/23/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-3 weeks
Player Year: RS Senior
What Ole Miss WR Tre Harris has been able to accomplish this season is nothing short of remarkable. Despite battling through injuries all season, he still leads the SEC in receiving and eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark last week. It was great for him to hit this mark last game, as this may be the last snap he plays for the Rebels.
Coming off the bye week, Harris was finally able to return to the lineup after missing a month with a groin injury. Unfortunately, things did not go the way he hoped. During his only catch of the game, a 43 yard TD, Harris reinjured his groin and was quickly taken to the locker room. He was ruled out and despite his official questionable status for this week, it is very unlikely he plays in the Egg Bowl on Friday. Groin strains are very pesky injuries, that already carry a moderate reinjury risk on baseline. Now that Harris has further damaged already healing muscle tissue, he is likely looking at about another month of rehab and recovery. I would not expect the dynamic WR to be on the field against Mississippi State this week.
Tez Johnson (WR) Oregon Ducks 3v351r
Injury: Shoulder Injury
Injury Date: 11/2/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Senior
The Oregon Ducks are the number 1 team in the country and the last thing their fans want to see is their name on this Week 14 college football injuries article. However, I bring some good news. Senior WR Tez Johnson was knocked out of the game four weeks ago with a shoulder injury and seen in a sling post-game. Despite the optics not looking great, it’s been reported that the injury is NOT season ending.
These reports were confirmed last week as Johnson took to Instagram to announce his return to practice. Johnson returning to the field is a HUGE boost for this team and their hopes for a National Championship. He is their best WR who leads the team in all receiving categories. He will have the Washington game next week to knock some rust off before he will be relied on in the Big Ten Championship game.
Kyron Drones (QB) Virginia Tech Hokies 5o2331
Injury: Undisclosed Injury
Injury Date: 11/9/2024
Expected Recovery Timeline: 2-4 weeks
Player Year: Junior
The Virginia Tech Hokies season has been a rollercoaster. The year started off with a ton of preseason hype and reality quickly set in, in the form of Vanderbilt. Much of the Hokies season has been tied into the next player on this Week 14 college football injuries article. Junior QB Kyron Drones has been battling an undisclosed injury most of the season and comes into another week questionable.
Drones left the Clemson game with an injury late but the expectation was that he would be okay after the team’s bye week. This was not the case however, as he missed most of practice last week and ultimately the loss against Duke. Virginia Tech now heads into rivalry week with still more questions than answers at the QB position. Both top QBs Kyron Drones and his backup Collin Schlee have been simply observing practice early in the week as they recieve treatment with undisclosed injuries. Given his track record, I would call Drones closer to doubtful than questionable for this week.
