Michigan State starting running back Cam Edwards will miss remainder of 2026 season

Michigan State starting running back Cam Edwards will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, MSU head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced on Monday.

Edwards suffered what appeared to be a right knee injury in MSU's 31-13 Week 4 loss to Nebraska on Saturday. The incident happened in the first quarter of the game after Edwards took a screen pass 23 yards and was hit low on his right knee, sending him tumbling to the ground.

Edwards, a redshirt senior, was carted to the locker room and was later seen heading back to the sideline on crutches.

"Cam, unfortunately, is going to be done for the year," Fitzgerald said about Edwards. "But the other (injuries) will be up to the injury report. Obviously, we're disappointed for him. He's been absolutely outstanding. I was just talking to him as we walked off the (practice) field. His attitude was terrific — (he's) ready to attack whatever direction things are gonna go as we move forward. But, it's next man up mentality. Like I mentioned about Jaz (Patterson), I thought he and Marv (Parrish) are playing at a pretty high level, so we'll have to get some other guys ready.

"But, really disappointed for (Edwards). He worked so hard to be ready to go, and that's football, man. It teaches you some really challenging, difficult life lessons. And I know through really tough times, he'll be be better because of it."

Edwards, a transfer from Connecticut, was MSU's most productive offensive player. He recorded 64 carries for 304 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in less than four total games. He also added four receptions for 35 receiving yards.

As Fitzgerald mentioned, MSU will rely on redshirt senior running back Jaziun Patterson, an Iowa transfer, and sophomore Marvis Parrish, who transferred from Western Kentucky, to fill the void in the backfield. Additional options for the Spartans at running back include redshirt junior Kenneth Williams (Nebraska transfer), junior Brandon Tullis, redshirt freshman Zion Gist and redshirt freshman Jace Clarizio, among others.

The injury to Edwards was one of many that the Spartans suffered against Nebraska or prior to the game starting.

Starting linebacker Brady Pretzlaff and starting cornerback Tyran Chappell were among those who were ruled out before Saturday’s game kicked off.

Starting cornerback Tre Bell got hurt during pregame warmups and did not appear against the Cornhuskers. Keshawn Williams and Nijhay Burt were two other cornerbacks who got hurt during the game.

Offensive guard Conner Moore was hurt in the first quarter against Nebraska, which appeared to be on the same play as when Edwards’ injury occurred, and he did not return.

Another critical injury happened when MSU starting linebacker and team captain Jordan Hall was forced to leave the game in the third quarter. He did not return. Fellow linebackers Dion Crawford, Cam Stodghill and Caleb Wheatland also were banged up throughout the duration of the game.

Fitzgerald noted that the statuses of the other injured players will be revealed later in the week when the Big Ten releases the availability reports.