MORGANTOWN — West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson was cleared from a Texas hospital early Sunday morning and the freshman was able to fly back to Morgantown with his teammates and coaches.
WVU head coach Neal Brown confirmed the news with an early-morning post on social media, in which he also credited the medical staffs at WVU and Texas for giving Donaldson outstanding care.
It was in the third quarter of Saturday’s 38-20 victory by the Longhorns that Donaldson took a handoff and tried to break through the line of scrimmage.
He was grabbed from behind by Texas lineman Prince Dorbah, before Longhorns’ defensive end Barryn Sorrell came into the play.
Donaldson was already going to the ground, so as his body lowered, Sorrell ended up grabbing Donaldson around his helmet.
Replays showed the back of Donaldson’s head may have also banged against Sorrell’s leg or knee as both players were going to the ground.
Donaldson did not get back up after the play, as medical personnel rushed out to the field.
A brace was put around his head and neck and Donaldson was eventually placed on a stretcher and carted off the field and to a local hospital.
As he was riding off, Donaldson did give a thumbs up to the crowd.
Brown said in his postgame press conference that WVU medical personnel traveled with Donaldson to the hospital and while there, the running back was alert, stable and had movement in his arms and legs.
“It was terrifying,” WVU receiver Bryce Ford-Wheaton said. “One snap you’re playing with him, and the next, he’s on a stretcher.”
Brown said his thoughts instantly went to Donaldson’s family, who were not in attendance.
“I don’t know if there’s a good way to handle that,” he said. “It’s scary. I’m sitting there as a father of three and I knew his mom wasn’t there, and that’s really kind of all I could think about.”
Donaldson has rushed for 389 yards and six touchdowns this season for the Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2 Big 12). He finished with nine yards on four attempts against Texas.
WVU has a bye week coming up, before hosting Baylor at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13.
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