Michigan State football tight end Jack Velling was carted off in the first quarter of Friday night’s 24-17 victory against Purdue after taking a big hit.
On Michigan State’s first offensive possession, quarterback Aidan Chiles tried to hit Velling over the middle on a crossing route but he took a big hit from Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman and stayed on the ground for several minutes. He was loaded onto a board and cart and taken out of the tunnel, and the Fox broadcast showed him flashing a thumbs-up to the Spartan Stadium crowd.
A Michigan State spokesperson later said Velling was taken to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing for evaluation after being knocked out of the game in the first quarter. Coach Jonathan Smith, who recruited Velling to Oregon State and MSU, did not have an update on his condition but said Velling was able to watch the second half at the hospital.
“I spoke to him on the phone in the locker room just a bit ago. He’s at the hospital, a thorough, precautionary-type thing,” Smith said. “He was in good spirits …, but I don’t have anything definitive.”
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The injury happened one play after Velling had an 11-yard catch to convert a key third down on the Spartans’ first drive.
The junior tight end had 30 catches for 323 yards coming into tonight in his first season in the green and white. Velling transferred to MSU last offseason from Oregon State, following new head coach Jonathan Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren.
Michigan State kept the drive going after Velling exited and found the end zone five plays later. Chiles picked up a first down with his legs, then lasered a pass into the corner of the end zone to Montorie Foster Jr. to take an early 7-3 lead.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football tight end Jack Velling carted off vs. Purdue