MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis running back Sutton Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the 2024 football season with a right knee injury, that's according to Tiger head football coach Ryan Silverfield.
“Unfortunately, Sutton is lost for the season,” Silverfield said after the Tigers 38-17 win over Troy on Saturday. “His injury is going to require surgery.”
Smith was injured during the first quarter of the Tigers Week 1, 40-0 win over North Alabama. After a run with the ball, Smith stayed down on the ground. He was helped from the field and eventually appeared on the sideline with crutches before getting an MRI early this week.
During the Tigers game against the Trojans, Smith was sitting on a chair near the end zone of the Tigers sideline with his right leg elevated on a chair.
To start the season Smith was listed as the starting running back along with South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson Jr. Smith was also the Tigers kick returner and could play receiver too which is a large part in why he was nominated for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player.
Before getting injured in the season opener, the junior had two carries for seven yards and two receptions for 13 yards.
“He’s just a great young man that’s worked his tail off really to give himself an opportunity to be a starting running back,” Siverfield said. “We know how dynamic he was as a returner and in the passing game. So certainly not only a loss on the field, but just such a phenomenal human. But if there is anything I know about Sutton Smith, he’s going to work his tail back and he’s going to recover the right way. He’s going to do everything in his power to come back because the kid loves his teammates, he loves this program and he's going to do everything he can to recover.”
Despite not having Smith in the lineup on Saturday against Troy, the Tigers dominated on the ground, rushing for 211 yards and four touchdowns.
Smith still has a redshirt year available so he theoretically can return to the Tigers in 2025 as a redshirt junior.