EAST LANSING – Michigan State starting tight end Jack Velling suffered a scary injury and was carted off the field early in Friday’s game against Purdue.
On the first offensive possession of for the Spartans (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten), Velling took a big hit over the middle from Purdue’s Dillon Thieneman just as a pass was arriving. It fell incomplete and Velling, who took a shot in the midsection, rolled around on the field in obvious pain.
Michigan State medical staff quickly signaled for the stretcher and cart while surrounding Velling. He was down on the field for five minutes and had his jersey removed before being placed on a backboard and carted off. Velling gave a thumbs up amid cheers while being driven off the Spartan Stadium turf.
It’s unclear what the extent of the injury is. A program spokesman said Velling was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Velling, a junior, set an Oregon State single-season record for touchdown catches by a tight end last year with eight. He followed coach Jonathan Smith to East Lansing in the offseason and had 30 catches for 323 yards in the first 10 games combined this season. Velling had an 11-yard grab on Friday one play before being injured.
After Velling’s injury, quarterback Aidan Chiles threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Montorie Foster to take a 7-3 lead with 4:24 to play in the first quarter.
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