Fall camp injury update: 3 teams missing key players ahead of 2024 college football season
The 2024 college football season is just over two weeks away, with eight teams set to take the field on August 24 to kick off the season. As players battle it out for a starting role or additional playing time, several big injuries could impact the landscape in the upcoming season.
Take a look at three teams, all of whom are expected to be in contention for a postseason spot, that have lost a projected starter at a key position:
Three teams missing key players ahead of 2024 college football season
#1 Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns will be without CJ Baxter, who was slated to be their starting running back this season, for the entire 2024 season after tearing his LCL and PCL in practice this week.
The five-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class had a strong season as a true freshman. Despite splitting time in the backfield with 2024 NFL Draft second-round pick Jonathan Brooks, he ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns on 138 carries. Baxter added 156 receiving yards on 24 receptions.
He was expected to be a true feature back with Brooks no longer in the fold but instead will be forced to sit out the season.
#2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have lost starting left tackle Charles Jagusah for the entire 2024 college football season after he suffered a shoulder injury last weekend.
The four-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class was slated to replace Joe Alt - who was selected fifth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft - as Notre Dame's blindside protector. He appeared in two games as a true freshman and was expected to play a much bigger role after redshirting.
#3 Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers will be without Jourdan Thomas for the 2024 college football season. He was slated to start in the secondary in the upcoming season after suffering what has been described as a significant knee injury in practice over the weekend.
The three-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class didn't see the field much over his first two seasons, recording 28 total tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. He was expected to step into a larger role this season, as Tennessee will need to replace all of their starting defensive backs from 2023.