ATLANTA — Georgia Tech defensive back Jaylen Mbakwe has been released from the hospital after precautionary observation following his injury in the third quarter of the Yellow Jackets’ 45-24 home loss to Tennessee, the school announced Sunday.
After Saturday night’s game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said Mbakwe was talking and responsive. He was involved in a collision with teammate Jordan Walker that led to Mbakwe leaving the field on a stretcher and being taken to Grady Hospital.
Mbakwe collided head first with Walker’s knee. Walker was carried off the field, unable to put any weight on his leg. Mbakwe lay on the playing surface and appeared motionless for several minutes before giving the crowd a thumbs-up while being stretchered off.
“Everything was moving when they moved him off the field. He was talking, responsive,” Key said after the game.
It’s Mbakwe’s first season with Georgia Tech after transferring from Alabama, where he played in 22 games over two seasons in various roles as a cornerback, wide receiver and punt returner.
Georgia Tech, an Atlantic Coast Conference program, fell to 0-2 with the loss to the Southeastern Conference’s Volunteers (2-0), who moved up three spots Sunday when the new AP Top 25 college football poll was released