Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson exits game with leg injury

Texas Tech’s linebacker Tyree Wilson (19) was examined on the sideline before a brace was placed on his right leg. He was carted to the football building.

Clinging onto a 27-21 lead late into the third quarter, the Texas Tech football team will need to stave off a late Kansas comeback without one of its top defensive standouts in a crucial Big 12 Conference contest Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium.

More:On the rise: Wilson makes top 20 for Bednarik Award, keeps impressing scouts

Tyree Wilson, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound edge rusher, exited the game with a right leg injury — following a play in which it appeared he tried to plant and go past the Jayhawks right tackle before taking a bad step. There wwas little to no contact before he went to the turf and was attended to by Texas Tech athletic trainers.

Texas Tech’s linebacker Tyree Wilson (19) warms up before the game against TCU, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.

The senior, who was helped off by a pair of Texas Tech athletic trainers, was examined on the sideline before a brace was placed on his right leg. He limped over to the defensive huddle to provide words of encouragement before he was carted to the football building.

He returned to the Texas Tech sideline on crutches with an orthopedic boot on his right foot before the end of the third quarter.

Prior to his injury, Wilson was credited with two tackles, one solo, and a quarterback hurry.

For the year, the Henderson, Texas, native has amassed 59 total tackles — ranking him second on the team behind linebacker Krishon Merriweather who has tallied 78.

Wilson has also chipped in a team-best seven sacks while adding seven quarterback hurries, recovered and forced a fumble.

Earlier in the month, Wilson was among 20 semifinalists announced Nov. 1 for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.

Along with that accolade, the former West Rusk standout has impressed NFL scouts with his combination of speed, power and physique. He’s been talked about a potential first-round draft choice and enhanced those chances with his play through the first nine games of the season. Wilson has one year of eligibility remaining.

“All that’s pretty much noise,” Wilson said after the Red Raiders’ Nov. 1 practice. “What’s important is my team, Texas Tech. I live every day to come get better for my team and not worry about the NFL, because if we do good here, the NFL will still be there.”

For an update on Wilson’s status and postgame reaction from the Texas Tech-Kansas contest, visit www.lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson exits game with leg injury