Louisville star WR Caullin Lacy helped to the sidelines vs. SMU: Latest injury update

Following consecutive losses, Louisville came into its Week 13 matchup with SMU shorthanded. The Cardinals made the trip to Dallas without star running back Isaac Brown and his backup, Keyjuan Brown. Additionally, with starting quarterback Miller Moss dealing with an injury and coming off a poor performance against Clemson, Jeff Brohm gave the starting nod to redshirt freshman Deuce Adams. 

So, with much of the starting offense on the sidelines Saturday, Louisville couldn’t afford another injury mid-game, but that's exactly what happened with star wide receiver Caullin Lacy. Lacy went down after he was tackled on the opening kickoff of the second half and was helped to the sidelines after being tended to on the field by the Louisville training staff. 

After transferring from South Alabama last offseason, Lacy missed much of the 2024 campaign with injuries. He appeared in just 5 games in 2024, catching 18 passes for 196 yards and 1 touchdown. This season, back at full health for his final year of eligibility, Lacy is second on the team with 52 catches for 542 yards and two touchdowns. 

A dynamic playmaker, Lacy is also one of the most prolific punt returners in the country, with two punt return touchdowns. With two running backs out in Week 13, Lacy was also featured in the backfield against SMU in the first half with two carries for five yards. Before suffering an injury in the third quarter, Lacy also recorded two catches for five yards.

With Lacy out, senior wide receiver Bobby Golden returned SMU's first punt of the second half. Offensively, Adams and backup quarterback Brady Allen, who has seen some action today as well, will need to lean even more heavily on wide receiver Chris Bell, a top NFL Draft propsect and the Cardinals' leading pass-catcher this year.

Latest Caullin Lacy injury update:

Lacy was helped to the sidelines after suffering an apparent injury in the third quarter of Louisville’s Week 13 matchup with SMU. Lacy has yet to return to the field. 

UPDATE: Lacy emerged from the injury tent in the third quarter, but was seen walking on the sidelines without his helmet. He is unlikely to return.