Jay Haynes injury: What happened to Clemson RB?

Modified Dec 08, 2024 10:46 GMT

Clemson running back Jay Haynes had an unfortunate exit during the ACC Championship game. (Image credits: Imagn)

Clemson running back Jay Haynes had an unfortunate exit during the ACC Championship game on Saturday night. The Tigers clinched a 34-31 win over No. 8 SMU at Bank of America Stadium, but the victory came with concerns, as Haynes was carted off the field after a knee injury.

Haynes, who had five carries for 15 yards before his injury, was coming off a standout performance two weeks ago, rushing for a season-high 118 yards and two touchdowns against The Citadel.

His injury occurred on the opening kickoff of the second half, where he returned the ball for 16 yards but was hit low, causing his knee to bend awkwardly. Although he attempted to stand, he couldn’t and needed assistance from Clemson’s trainers.

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After being taken to the sideline and evaluated in the medical tent, Haynes was transported via cart to the locker room.

Per reports from CFB insider Jon Blau, Haynes was ruled out for the rest of the game. With Phil Mafah already dealing with an injury, Clemson's running back depth was stretched thin.

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Freshman David Eziomume stepped in as the starting kick returner following Haynes' exit. The Tigers will hope for a swift recovery for Haynes as they navigate their postseason aspirations.

Jay Haynes was named running back of the Week

Clemson Tigers running back Jay Haynes - Source: Imagn

Clemson running back Jay Haynes has been named the ACC Running Back of the Week following a stellar performance in the Tigers’ 51-14 blowout win over The Citadel on Nov. 25.

Haynes posted a career-high 118 rushing yards on just five carries, scoring twice, including an electrifying 70-yard touchdown run. That marks Haynes’ first ACC weekly honor, capping off a regular season where he logged 38 carries for 280 yards, three touchdowns and a strong 7.4-yard average.

Tigers edge SMU with late-game heroics

In a nail-biter on Saturday, Clemson pulled off a 34-31 victory over SMU, clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020. Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser sealed the win with a record-setting 56-yard field goal, the longest in ACC Championship Game history.

Now, the Tigers await their CFP seeding, which will be revealed on Selection Sunday at noon ET on ESPN.

Also Read: "SMU, Oregon has more P4 wins than Texas does": ACC commish Jim Phillips draws bold comparisons amid SEC bias allegations in CFP

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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Edited by Bhargav