Mississippi State's Bothwell Exited Game With Injury
Running back Fluff Bothwell left the match against Alabama after just one carry due to a lower-body injury.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Football
Mississippi State running back Fluff Bothwell departed the game against Alabama on Saturday following a single carry. The sophomore exited the contest after aggravating a pre-existing lower-body injury.
Why it matters
Bothwell has served as a key component of the Mississippi State ground game this season, and his absence forces the coaching staff to rely on their depth chart to maintain rushing production. His status will impact the team offensive strategy as they navigate upcoming conference play.
Fluff Bothwell entered the game with 402 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 73 carries. Backup Kolin Wilson has accumulated 104 yards on 21 carries this season, while Kamario Taylor has recorded 185 rushing yards.
The players
Fluff Bothwell
He is a running back for Mississippi State who has been a primary contributor to the team's rushing attack this season.
Kolin Wilson
He is a Mississippi State running back who is listed as a co-backup behind Bothwell on the depth chart.
Xavier Gayten
He is a Mississippi State running back currently listed as a co-backup option for the team.
Kamario Taylor
He is a Mississippi State player who has contributed 185 rushing yards to the team's offense this year.
The details
After recording one carry, Bothwell was observed on the sideline wearing shorts and a walking boot. Mississippi State listed Kolin Wilson and Xavier Gayten as the co-backups expected to fill the void in the backfield.
Timeline
Fluff Bothwell exited the game against Alabama on October 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This injury disrupts the established rotation of the Mississippi State offense and forces a shift in the team's backfield identity. The reliance on co-backups will dictate the team's offensive efficiency as they adjust their ground attack for the remainder of the season.
The loss of the team's leading rusher shifts the offensive workload to Kolin Wilson and Xavier Gayten for future game rotations. Fantasy managers and fans should monitor the depth chart updates to see how the carry distribution changes during upcoming matches.
The takeaway
Managing pre-existing injuries is a critical challenge for student-athletes maintaining high-performance workloads during a physical season. Coaches must balance short-term roster needs with long-term player health to sustain offensive output throughout the year.
Further reading
For more information on team updates, visit Football.
