Editors’ note, Oct. 6, 2023, 3:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to note that WKU linebacker Bryson Washington returned to Thursday night’s game against Louisiana Tech.
Western Kentucky linebacker Bryson Washington appeared to suffer a horrific injury when a celebration went awry Thursday night.
After making a tackle against Louisiana Tech, Washington jumped in the air to celebrate, but an awkward landing sent him limping off the field.
It did not look great, but fortunately Washington wasn’t seriously hurt.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) October 6, 2023
The Hilltoppers linebacker returned to the game, which Western Kentucky held on to win, 35-28.
Washington is a sixth-year senior who was coming off his first career start last week against Middle Tennessee.
In that game, Washington finished with seven tackles and an interception. He subsequently was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week.
𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙨 🚪
— WKU Football (@WKUFootball) October 2, 2023
In his first career start, @bryson20_ has earned @ConferenceUSA Defensive Player of the Week!
More info: https://t.co/DUv2NAHkIY#GoTops pic.twitter.com/IZmytLdpn3
Washington’s performance against Middle Tennessee put him in line to lead the Hilltoppers out as a captain on Thursday night.
The incident evoked memories of other athletes who were injured while celebrating a play on the field. Just last year, LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith tore his ACL while celebrating a sack, knocking him off the field for the full season. Similar instances have occured in the NFL as well.
There is not yet an update on the severity of Washington’s injury, but for the sake of his season, let’s hope the prognosis is better than it appeared on television.
