Perris Jones injury update: Why was the UVA RB taken to the hospital?

Jones had one carry for 28 yards before being taken to the hospital.

Perris Jones injury update: Why was the UVA RB taken to the hospital?

Virginia running back Perris Jones taken to the hospital (Image via YouTube)

A scary moment halted a college football game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Virginia Cavaliers. Verginia’s Perris Jones was left motionless after a devastating collision during the game.

Jones, who starts as a running back, caught a screen pass from UVA freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea in the late third quarter. They were leading the Cardinals by 6 points and looked to increase with just a few seconds left.

YouTube video

After catching the ball, Jones ran forward and collided head-first with a Louisville defender near the 42-yard line. Due to the impact, he fumbled the ball, which was picked up by Virginia’s star receiver, Malik Washington. He then carried the ball to the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 20-14.

However, the celebrations were cut short, as Jones had not moved an inch since the incident. Referees stopped the clock, and the Virginia medical staff ran onto the pitch and immediately got to work. Then they called an ambulance, indicating the matter was serious. Players from both sides circled Jones as he was being strapped to the stretcher.

According to the commentators, they were taking him to the University of Louisville Hospital, just 10 minutes away from the venue, Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. It was a mere 3-and-a-half-mile drive, but the trauma the players must have felt seeing one of their own in such a state will probably never go away.

Perris Jones’ injury update

Early in the fourth quarter, ESPN sideline reporter Harry Lyles, Jr., updated on Perris Jones’ condition. 

Jones was loaded into an ambulance about five minutes after he was taken into the tunnel--The athletic director from Virginia, Carla Williams, greeted him. He was not moving, but his eyes were open.
Perris Jones injury update: Why was the UVA RB taken to the hospital?
Perris Jones being taken to the Hospital (Image via San Diego Union-Tribune)

The game resumed with a Brock Travelstead 35-yard field goal that reduced the deficit. Louisville then tied the score with a deep pass from quarterback Jack Plummer to receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce for a 52-yard touchdown.

Just three minutes later, Cardinals running back Isaac Guerendo hit the final nail in the coffin. He ran for 72 yards to seal the game for Louisville. The win means the No. 11-ranked team has now won nine from 10 games, while Virginia has lost eight out of 10.

However, the doom and gloom was soon forgotten when the good news came from the hospital where Jones was taken. They released a statement saying, 

UVA RB Perris Jones has regained movement in all of his extremities after being injured during Thursday’s Louisville game.

Jones will remain in the care of the doctors for the time being. Back to football, the Cardinals will play the Miami Hurricanes, while Virginia welcomes Duke.

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