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Wayne Matthews III injury update: Scary details emerge on Michigan LB after being hospitalized

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/21/25griffin_mcveigh
Michigan State's Angelo Grose, center celebrates his interception against Florida Atlantic with teammates Wayne Matthews III, left, and Nikai Martinez during the second quarter - Nick King, USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State's Angelo Grose, center celebrates his interception against Florida Atlantic with teammates Wayne Matthews III, left, and Nikai Martinez during the second quarter - Nick King, USA TODAY Sports

Wayne Matthews III left Saturday’s game against USC on a stretcher. In what seemed to be a normal play at the time, the Michigan State linebacker stayed on the ground for a prolonged period before getting taken off the field. Now, he is currently on the way to a local hospital.

FOX’s Alexa Landestoy provided the update on Matthews, 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.”

Matthews showed some movement in his limbs while down, wiggling his legs at times. The cart eventually came out as both teams watched the moment unfold. A stretcher moved Matthews off the field and into an ambulance parked inside the tunnel. Eventually, Michigan State gathered in a circle to pray for their teammate before getting the game back underway.

Robert Griffin III provides perspective after Wayne Matthews III injury

Former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III is 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.”

USC eventually punched the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. Lincoln Riley‘s bunch goes into the break with a 24-10 lead with the goal of starting 2-0 in Big Ten play. However, you have to imagine everyone is thinking about Matthews, hoping he is okay.