College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out And Injury Tracker
Welcome to the 2023 college football bowl game opt-out and injury tracker! This post will feature the bowl games nearest in the schedule, and will be continually updated with breaking news as well as games being added as their dates become closer. Included are updates on impactful injuries, NFL Draft opt-outs, transfer portal entries, and quarterback position battles.
A few important notes to keep in mind when looking through these updates:
- The positions focused on here will include quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends.
- Players who have declared for the NFL Draft sometimes make it clear if they are playing in the bowl, but sometimes they do not, that is noted where applicable.
- Players who are in the transfer portal normally do not dress or play in bowl games, but in some circumstances they may, where there is clarity on a player who is expected to play that is noted.
- Many teams do not give real injury updates after the end of the regular season before a bowl, or if they do it may be a one-time mention weeks before the actual bowl.
- There are always some surprise absences and opt outs, whether it be for NFL Draft/transfer/bowl practice injury/suspension/personal, etc.
- Occasionally a player who was thought to be “out for the season” makes a surprise return for a bowl game, but as a general rule most players who are expected to be out for the season are not listed below. In addition, a player who was redshirting (4 games or less) may play in a bowl.
- For players you may not see listed here, visit the Unabated CFB news page to search by player or team.
- Bowls listed here for future dates may continue to be updated up through the day of the game.
National Championship – Jan. 8
- RB Cole Cabana – listed as out for the championship game.
- RB Leon Franklin – entered the transfer portal (33 yards, 1 TD).
- RB CJ Stokes – entered the transfer portal (8 yards).
- RB Sam Adams – was not dressed for the semifinal bowl (undisclosed)
- WR Germie Bernard – is warming up in pregame wearing a sleeve on his right leg.
- RB Dillon Johnson – left late in the 4th quarter of the semifinal bowl (lower body) and was carted to the locker room. It was said to be an aggravation of a previous injury as well as a knee injury. On Tuesday offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said that x-rays were negative and Johnson is expected to play in the championship. On Wednesday coach Kalen DeBoer said he expects Johnson to be ready to go, adding it was not more severe than what he has been playing through. On Saturday Johnson was interviewed and said he is feeling “solid” and fully expects to play, although he may not be 100%. In pregame he is warming up with his right foot taped and a sleeve on his left knee.
- WR Taeshaun Lyons – entered the transfer portal.
- QB Dylan Morris – entered the transfer portal with reports he has committed to James Madison, remains listed as the backup and is expected to stay with the team through the championship (224 yards, 1 TD).
- TE Jack Westover – ESPN reports he is dealing with a calf strain from the semifinal and may not be 100% but is expected to play. He is warming up in pregame, wearing a sleeve on his right leg.
Reminder: the college football bowl game opt-out and injury tracker relies upon reputable reporters and sites rather than rumors or sources inside and around programs. When there is strong speculation about an update but it has not been confirmed by verified sources, that is noted (this will be rare).
We strive to provide the most accurate and timely college football injury news and other information possible, but updates should be considered unofficial unless officially released by the team. Some teams and coaches do intentionally withhold information or provide comments with the intent to mislead.
The information provided here is as accurate as possible leading up to the time this is published, but for up-to-the-second college football injury news, player updates and position battles, become a Premium member today. For news on a 15-minute delay, check out the College Football News page, or follow us at @Unabated_CFB on Twitter. Find out more about Unabated College Football and the benefits of becoming a Premium member.
