**Texas Tech Football Player Quinten Joyner Out for the Season with ACL Injury**
A promising season for Texas Tech football has taken a significant hit as running back Quinten Joyner will be sidelined until 2026 due to a torn ACL. Joyner, who transferred to the Red Raiders from USC after two years, sustained a non-contact injury during a team scrimmage on Saturday. Head coach Joey McGuire confirmed the unfortunate news on his podcast, revealing that Joyner’s injury is as serious as the team had feared.
Ranked No. 23 in the preseason, Texas Tech will now have to adjust its offensive strategy without Joyner, who was anticipated to be a key player in the backfield this year. Joyner, a four-star recruit, had previously opted to play at USC instead of staying in Texas, where he had received multiple offers. Last season, he recorded 478 rushing yards and four touchdowns while primarily serving as a backup to Woody Marks.
The move to Texas Tech was seen as an opportunity for Joyner to secure more playing time while returning closer to his home state. However, with his injury, McGuire will now need to rely on Cameron Dickey and J’Koby Williams, the other running backs on the roster, to step up in Joyner’s absence. McGuire expressed his disappointment for Joyner, noting his impressive performance during spring practices and training camp. “He has really come in here and been a pro, and we’ve asked him to do a lot of stuff that he hasn’t done before. …He’s really taken to it, so it’s unfortunate,” McGuire stated.
As the Red Raiders prepare for the upcoming season, they will need to adapt quickly. With just one week until their season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on August 30, the team is looking to improve on last year’s 8-5 record. The Big 12 conference remains competitive, with teams like Arizona State, Kansas State, and Iowa State also ranked in the top 25. Injuries are an unfortunate reality in football, and Texas Tech will need to adopt a next-man-up mentality to navigate this setback.
**FAQ**
*What happened to Quinten Joyner?*
Quinten Joyner suffered a torn ACL during a scrimmage, which will keep him out for the entire 2025 season.
