Mississippi State LB Jalen Smith exits after suffering apparent non-contact injury
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The Mississippi State Bulldogs have not experienced the most pleasant start vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. Quarterback Kamario Taylor turned the ball over on Mississippi State’s first two possessions to dig a 14-0 hole. Then, running back Fluff Bothwell exited the game after just one carry with a foot injury.
Unfortunately, when it rains, it pours. On Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell’s 17-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter, Bulldog linebacker Jalen Smith appeared to suffer a non-contact injury. You can see Smith try to turn and chase Russell on the TV broadcast before falling to the turf.
Smith, a junior from Grayson, GA, walked with assistance back to Mississippi State’s locker room. Both he and his family were visibly shaken in the aftermath of the incident.
Smith entered action with 28 tackles, the most of any Bulldog defender. He finished fifth on the team with 57 tackles in 2025 after transferring to Mississippi State from Tennessee. Across 34 appearances prior to Saturday, Smith had made 123 tackles and four tackles for loss.
The Bulldogs’ defense is doing its best to step up without its leading tackler. Facing a 21-7 deficit, defensive lineman Jaray Bledsoe forced Crimson Tide running back Daniel Hill to fumble deep in his own territory. Safety Kendel Dolby recovered the ball, which allowed Kamario Taylor and Zion Ragins to hook up for an 11-yard touchdown on the game’s next snap.
Alabama and Mississippi State have combined for five touchdowns and five turnovers roughly one-third of the way through Saturday’s game. You can catch the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs on ABC.
