California running back Jaivian Thomas, shown here in a recent game, is u runs against Arizona State defensive back Macen Williams (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Jaivian Thomas, the Cal running back who lay motionless on the field for 15 minutes Saturday night, was on his feet and headed home Sunday, according to a family member.
“He can move, he’s been up walking,” his cousin, Jamal Fletcher, told the Bay Area News Group on Sunday afternoon. “He’s on his way home now, and he’s doing better. He should be home this evening.”
Fletcher, an assistant coach at the Oakland high school (McClymonds) where Thomas starred, said the family shared a special moment Saturday night from the Eugene, Oregon hospital.
“He Face-timed us around 9:30 — me, his mom and his stepfather. in the living room,” Fletcher said.
The injury occurred in the third quarter of Cal’s 63-19 loss to sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks. On a first-down play from the Oregon 5, Thomas took a handoff from quarterback Fernando Mendoza and immediately lost control of the ball, fumbling it forward. He was hit after the fumble, away from the play.
“He hurt his neck,” Fletcher said late Saturday night, “but he’s responsive and he’s got movement in his legs and everything right now. They’re going to keep him in the hospital overnight, and he’ll be back home (Sunday).”
Later Saturday, Fletcher wrote on social media:: “God is good. The Jet is up and walking and will be home (Sunday).”
As of Sunday afternoon, the school had not released information about Thomas, but Cal coach Justin Wilcox provided the first news Saturday night in his postgame news conference.
Wilcox, who described the on-field scene as “very scary,” reported that Thomas was at the hospital “undergoing tests. He’s alert, interacting with the doctors. He does have movement and feeling in his extremities, which is good news, but there are still a lot of tests he’s going to undergo.
“We’re all praying for him,” Wilcox said.
Originally published at Bud Geracie