SEC Football Injury News Includes 'Hard Hits' To The Running Back Position

As position battles continue on throughout the SEC, like the backup quarterback job at Auburn, there are some unfortunate injury updates to discuss at the running back position.

One of the most unfortunate takes place with a Transfer Portal player from Ohio State now suiting up for the Kentucky Wildcats. Running back Chip Traynum has a broken hand according to a report from Alex Weber of Athlon Sports via Kentucky Sports Radio.

“Sources tell KSR that UK RB Chip Trayanum has broken his hand and will miss 3-4 weeks and likely 1-2 games.”

The Wildcats will be losing a player with valuable experience at Arizona State and Ohio State. Last season for the Buckeyes, Traynum’s totals include 85 carries, 373 yards, a 4.4 average, and 3 touchdowns. Considering the talented backfield Traynum comes from, he certainly could have put up bigger numbers elsewhere.

It’s one thing for UK to lose a single running back, Texas is losing two. Sophomore Cedric Baxter is being lost for the year according to Horns Illustrated’s Terry Middleton .

“During practice, running back CJ Baxter suffered a season ending knee injury. Baxter is one of the star backs and an important part of Texas' offense.” That’s just the first player to go down. Now, it’s running back Christian Clark who’s injured and the news is actually bad in terms of severity.

From writer Anwar Richardson or Orangebloods.com, “I can confirm that true freshman RB Christian Clark has sustained what is believed to be a serious lower leg injury. It is not believed to be an ACL injury. Staff is considering moving redshirt freshman receiver Ryan Niblett to running back.”

Clark is an incoming freshman for the Horns from Phoenix (Ariz.) Mountain Pointe. The running back whose carries will go up would be Jaydon Blue , a rising junior for Texas.

He comes into the 2024 season after 65 carries, 398 yards, a 6.1 average, and 3 touchdowns. Blue is also a former highly recruited prospect and is capable of shouldering the load for Texas. Still, more depth would be good for Steve Sarkisian and his coaching staff.

Rivals of the Longhorns, Texas A&M also has Rueben Owens sitting out the 2024 season due to injury according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Max Olsen . Owens is a part of last season’s deep A&M running back depth chart, but he’s also a rare combination of size – at 6-foot and 205 pounds – combined with the speed to take any run or reception for a touchdown. At the beginning of the recent run of SEC running back injuries, there’s Florida’s top returner runner to consider.

Montrell Johnson will miss time after a minor knee injury from fall camp. From CFB Stats, his 2023 production of 152 carries, 817 yards, a 5.4 average, and 4 touchdowns will not be easy to replace; losing Trevor Etienne to Georgia hurts as well.

Unfortunately for the Gators, the running back depth chart behind Johnson is mostly inexperienced. Sophomore Treyaun Webb could be the starter when the Gators host the Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 31.

From the Florida Athletic Website, his 2023 statistics include 26 carries, 163 yards, a 6.3 average, and two rushing scores. One of two freshmen could also be thrusted into playing time with Jadan Baugh and KD Daniels both being highly touted prospects.

Running the football is one thing, but having a sophomore and two true freshmen pass protecting versus Miami’s front seven is not ideal for UF quarterback Graham Mertz . Young running backs often struggle with blitz pickup. The Gators offensive line also allowed 39 sacks last season.

It’s been a tough stretch for SEC running backs. Here’s to hoping each of them has a quick and seamless recovery.