10 November 2023 , 11:41
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Virginia Cavaliers running back Perris Jones has "regained movement in all of his extremities" after a harrowing scene in Thursday's defeat to the Louisville Cardinals.
The sixth-year senior was knocked out in a helmet-to-helmet hit in the third quarter at Cardinal Stadium and was carted off the field strapped to a backboard before being taken to University of Louisville Medical Center. Jones caught a swing pass from Anthony Colandrea and turned upfield before being flattened by Louisville defensive back Cam'Ron Kelly.
In crumpling to the floor, Jones lost the football but it was recovered by teammate Malik Washington and he took the ball 42 yards to the endzone to put the Cavaliers 21-14 ahead against the No. 11 Cardinals. Louisville would bounce back with two touchdowns in the final six minutes to avoid an upset defeat, winning 31-24.
But the primary concern amid a somber atmosphere was Jones' health and concerns were eased by his head coach Tony Elliott, who told reporters in his press conference that he had heard "encouraging" news from the team's medical staff. A statement from the team soon followed confirming Jones would spend Thursday night in the hospital.
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"UVA RB Perris Jones has regained movement in all of his extremities after being injured during Thursday’s Louisville game," a spokesman said. "In the third quarter, Jones was injured while catching a pass. Jones was taken by ambulance to the University of Louisville Medical Center. He will remain there Thursday night."
Jones has featured in all 10 of UVA's (2-8) games this season. The Virginia native has 386 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season at an average of 5.3 yards per carry.
Perris Jones was strapped to a backboard and carted away before being taken to hospital in an ambulance. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)"It's a very, very difficult reality of the sport that we play," Elliott said after the game. "Every play can end that way. You don't wish that for anybody and I know one thing, PJ's a tough young man. He lays it on the line every time he goes out there for this football team.
"[I am] believing and praying he's going to have a full recovery. I'm putting that in the Lord's hands and I'm asking for that in advance, and believing that's going to be the case.
"Nobody wants to see it, and it's tough to get back motivated, but I believe the guys responded. We just didn't make a couple of plays at the end that we needed to make."
Kelly said the outcome of the play was an accident with both players trying to go low to gain an advantage. He added: "I’m just praying for him. I said my piece to him when he was on the stretcher. I’ve got nothing but love for him. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”