Kamren Kinchens injury update: Miami’s star safety stretchered off field after brutal collision vs. Texas A&M

Miami safety Kamren Kinchens was stretchered off following a brutal collision with Texas A&M wide receiver Ainias Smith on Saturday.

Kinchens, an All-American last year, crumbled to the ground after crashing into Smith with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter. His teammates immediately gestured towards the sideline for medical assistance as Kinchens laid motionless on the turf.

(To see a replay of the incident, check it out here. Viewer discretion is advised.)

After the game, Mario Cristobol had an encouraging update, saying things looked ‘relatively normal.’

Mario Cristobal on Kam Kinchens: “So far reports that we have on Kam, everything seems to be relatively normal. We’re going to head over there right after I get done with a press conference and see how he’s doing. But it seems like we’re gonna be fine.”

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 10, 2023

After several minutes on the field, Kinchens was loaded up onto a stretcher and transported off the field and to the Ryder Trauma Center in South Florida. Both teams took a knee as Miami’s medical personnel spilled onto the field. As he was carted off, a smaller group of players appeared to gather in a prayer circle. Behind them were legions of orange-clad supporters who — after hours of raucous yelling — fell ghost-quiet.

MORE: Sporting News 2023 college football Preseason All-American team

The Hurricanes went on to win the contest, 48-33, handing the No. 23 Aggies their first loss.

Kinchens was a pivotal factor in the ‘Canes upset win. He sent the Miami faithful in raptures after picking off Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman and scurrying 28 yards down to out the Hurricanes in good field position during the second quarter. Kinchens also recovered a Jaden Davis fumble later in the affair.

The junior has been tipped for big things in 2023 after breaking out as a sophomore; Kinchens snagged six interceptions en route to All-American honors. He was recently named to Sporting News’ preseason All-American first team.