Coen Carr injury update: Michigan State star leaves game vs. ECU after fall on court

The Michigan State Spartans suffered a brief but concerning loss on Tuesday against ECU. Star forward Coen Carr was forced to leave the game with an apparent injury after falling on the court. Luckily, he was later able to return to action, though.

The incident occurred with about 12 minutes left in the first half. Coming off a Spartan turnover, Carr was trying to get back in transition and planted to pick up an ECU player in transition. However, his right leg seemed to have an issue on the plant, and he fell to the ground, holding it. Play would be stopped for him to exit.

The broadcast would follow Carr to the bench. There, after he was helped up, and sat on the bench. While speaking to the training staff, he tapped the inside of his right thigh.

At the time he exited, Michigan State was leading 12-9. Carr had played all eight minutes of the game, scoring two points and snagging one rebound in the process.

Michigan State did quickly get a positive indication. Coen Carr initially left the bench to go into the trainer’s room. However, he would quickly return to the bench and after only a few minutes of game time, was able to return to the game. So, what had initially looked like an awkward and scary injury, now looks as though it was just a scare.

Coen Carr is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, who came to Michigan State as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023. He had also been the 31st-ranked player nationally and the eighth-ranked small forward in that recruiting cycle. Now in his third season, he’s looking to step into a larger role with the program. Certainly, head coach Tom Izzo feels he has earned raised expectations this season.

“This day in age we give too many things,” Izzo said. “We give kudos to people for what they do or the expectations we have for them are given because we hope they’re there. He’s earned his expectation that I’ve placed on him. He’s gotten better. He’s gotten stronger. He’s gotten bigger. His body fat I think is zero. And he’s an unbelievable kid. So hard not to love Coen Carr.”

In five games this season, Carr is averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range. Then, on the defensive end, he’s averaging 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He’s started every game this season.

Michigan State is playing ECU as part of the Ft. Myers Tip-Off Classic. They’ll be back in action there on Thanksgiving Day against North Carolina.