Cartevious Norton injury update: USF RB placed on backboard, carted off vs. Charlotte

USF running back Cartevious Norton left Friday’s game against Charlotte on a backboard. He was on the turf for several minutes before leaving via a cart, and players from both teams surrounded him to wish support.

Norton went down after trying to punch in a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game and remained on the ground through two commercial breaks as the staff tended to him. They then put him on a backboard and placed a neck brace to stabilize him. He then gave a thumbs-up to the crowd as he left the field.

A transfer from Charlotte, Norton took 13 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown at the time of his departure. ESPN2 sideline reporter Marilyn Payne then confirmed he headed to Tampa General Hospital for further evaluation.

“Cartevious Norton, the Charlotte transfer now on South Florida’s team, has left in an ambulance,” Payne said on the broadcast. “He is being transported to Tampa General Hospital, which is the closest Level I trauma center. Again, he was immobilized. They had a neck brace on him, and he did give the thumbs up as he left the stadium before being placed in the ambulance.”

Norton began his career at Iowa State before transferring to Charlotte last season. In two years with the Cyclones, he totaled 655 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He became the lead back for the 49ers in 2024, though, as he took 129 carries for 525 yards and seven touchdowns.

Through four games at USF this year, Norton had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown through the first four games of the year. That put him fourth on the Bulls’ roster heading into Friday’s American Conference opener against Charlotte – his former team.

USF started out the season strong, flying past then-No. 25 Boise State in the opener, 34-7. Then, the Bulls got a signature victory under Alex Golesh, using a walk-off field goal to stun then-No. 13 Florida in Gainesville, fueling the hype machine as a potential College Football Playoff contender.

An in-state matchup with Miami awaited, but the Hurricanes rose to the occasion. USF fell 49-12 for its first loss of the year before bouncing back with a resounding 63-14 win over SC State in Week 4. The Bulls were on a bye week in Week 5 before Friday’s conference opener.