Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy left the Vols’ game against South Carolina on Saturday with what appeared to be a devastating lower leg injury that led to him being carted off the field against the Gamecocks.
The injury occurred during a clumsy tackle by Marcellas Dial that trapped McCoy’s right leg under their bodies. By the time Dial finished speaking to McCoy, the receiver was lying flat on his back. He immediately saw the damage he had sustained from the injury and grabbed his helmet.
REQUIRED READING: Bru McCoy injury update: Tennessee football receiver undergoes ankle surgery
Trainers tended to McCoy on the ground before he was eventually carried off the field.
Update on Bru McCoy’s injury
McCoy left Saturday’s game against South Carolina in the second quarter after South Carolina’s Dial suffered an awkward tackle. That was followed by an 18-yard catch-and-run by the redshirt senior receiver. Here is a video of the piece (Attention: graphic content).
McCoy did not return for the game against South Carolina. The university announced Sunday that he underwent season-ending surgery for a “fracture-dislocation” of his right ankle.
Tennessee coach Josh Huepel sympathized with McCoy after the injury. At his halftime interview, he said the injury “obviously” didn’t look good and that he hated it for McCoy: “The toughest kid in America.”
Images from the game showed McCoy’s Tennessee teammates looking distraught as he left.
A tough moment here in the stadium. Heads are down and hearts are heavy after WR Bru McCoy’s serious leg injury. The R-Sr had just caught an 18 meter cast. Pass from Joe Milton. He was carted off the field. 🙏 for Bru @wvlt pic.twitter.com/Cwq0JG9OTJ
— Rick Russo (@wvltrick) October 1, 2023
McCoy was transferred to the nearby University of Tennessee Medical Center after his injury.
Of note: Tennessee football suffered a similarly devastating injury to former quarterback Hendon Hooker against South Carolina in 2022. The QB suffered a torn ACL in his knee last year that was part of a 63-38 loss to the Gamecocks. Hooker was honored Saturday for his time as the Vols’ quarterback.
Statement from Josh Heupel regarding Bru McCoy’s injury
Heupel spoke in more detail about McCoy’s injury after the game. His prognosis for the receiver was not good:
“I hate what happened to Bru,” Heupel said. “We’ll have another update tomorrow or Monday.” Everyone saw it was a lower body injury that didn’t look good. There is no one better than him.”
Bru McCoy eligibility in Tennessee
Although McCoy is a redshirt senior, he could play for Tennessee again after his injury in the 2024 college football season.
He redshirted at USC in 2019 before playing two seasons with the Trojans. He then transferred to Tennessee in 2022; This is his second season playing in Knoxville. However, due to the 2020 season impacted by COVID-19, he has an additional year of eligibility with the NCAA.
Is Bru McCoy out for the season?
Tennessee confirmed that McCoy will miss the remainder of the season following his surgery.
“Bru and his family thank you for all of your prayers and support since last night and in the days ahead,” UT Football posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Bru has demonstrated unwavering toughness, character and leadership as a volunteer on and off the field, and he is now embarking on the road to recovery, determined to make this just a minor setback in his football journey.”
The question now is whether McCoy will be ready to prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Hooker, of course, was drafted in the third round, 68th overall by the Lions in 2023. McCoy was expected to opt for the NFL after this season, but this injury raises many questions that have few answers for now gives.