The University of Virginia suffered a scary injury during its game against Louisville on Thursday night.
Running back Perris Jones was hit hard and eventually carted off the field after making a catch out of the backfield during the Cavaliers’ 31-24 loss on the road at L&N Stadium.
On a second-and-27 late in the third quarter, quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed a seven-yard swing pass to Jones before the running back was taken down after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Cardinals defensive back Cam’ron Kelly, which jarred the ball free.
Virginia receiver Malik Washington then scooped up the loose ball and ran in for a long touchdown, but Jones remained down on the field, and medical staff came to attend to him as a hushed silence fell over the stadium.
The entire Virginia team surrounded Jones during the lengthy delay, and he was eventually taken off the field on a cart and brought to University of Louisville Hospital.
ESPN initially reported on the broadcast that Jones was not moving as he was loaded into an ambulance, but after the game, Virginia gave a positive update that the running back had movement in his extremities.
“UVA RB Perris Jones has regained movement in all of his extremities after being injured during Thursday’s Louisville game,” the school said in a statement, adding Jones would remain in the hospital Thursday night.
Virginia coach Tony Elliott told reporters after the game, according to a video from The Daily Progress, that initial signs were “encouraging” and that Jones was getting an MRI exam at the hospital.
“It’s a very, very difficult reality of our sport we play,” he said of the injury. “I know one thing, PJ is a tough young man and he lays it on the line every time he goes out there for this football team.”
Jones finished the game with two catches for 23 yards while adding seven yards on the ground.
He has recorded 386 rushing yards during his senior season with the Cavaliers.
