Wayne Matthews III injury update: Jonathan Smith reveals 'positive signs' for Michigan State LB after hospitalization

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith provided a positive update on LB Wayne Matthews III following his hospitalization Saturday night. Matthews’ motor skills were reportedly intact, per Reuters, after a scary collision.

“Positive signs for Wayne Matthews III,” Smith said postgame. “That is what I was quickly told. All the others got injured and could not return. We are waiting on confirmation from the staff for Wayne to see if he has to stay in LA or will be heading home.”

A team spokesperson later confirmed that Matthews was able to fly back with the team. Despite the loss to USC, Michigan State had some good news on the plane with Matthews’ motor skills all being intact.

Matthews was strapped to a backboard and transported to the hospital via ambulance. The Spartans’ defender was able to give a thumbs up as he was carted off the field.

This season, Matthews had 24 total tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. An Old Dominion transfer ahead of the 2024 season, Matthews has 205 career tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks to go along with one interception, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three pass deflections.

FOX’s Alexa Landestoy provided the initial update on Matthews during the game broadcast, saying Michigan State players are going to keep Matthews in mind during the second half. However, he is no longer in the stadium and being transported elsewhere.

“Some moments are bigger than football,” Landestoy said. “These Michigan State players are playing for their brother. Wayne Matthews III is being taken to a Level 1 trauma center, that’s the highest for these types of injuries, and LA General, also known as County Hospital here in Los Angeles. Don’t have more of an update. We will get that to you when we know that.”

Former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III was also on the call, giving a little perspective on what is going through players’ minds at the moment. Neither team wants to see something like this occur, something Griffin says they have to process in real time.

“People forget that football players and stars that you see on TV that these kids at home look up to, they’re human,” Griffin said. “And there’s such a human element to bonding as a team that when you see a guy like that go down, even when you’re on the other team, it hits you. It affects us all. Just want to lift up Wayne Matthews III right now and pray that God keeps his angels encamped around him and his family as he works through this process.”

Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report