SMU star TE RJ Maryland (knee) will miss rest of season

Field Level Media|published: Tue 22nd October, 18:07 2024

Oct 19, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs tight end RJ Maryland (82) scores a touchdown after a catch against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

SMU standout tight end RJ Maryland is done for the season after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee during last weekend's 40-10 rout of Stanford.

Maryland was injured in the third quarter when he took a hit from Stanford cornerback Collin Wright after catching a short pass in the left flat.

Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee termed the blow as a "violent hit."

"RJ is going to be out for the year," Lashlee told reporters Tuesday. "Got the news we expected yesterday, so probably will have more detail on that in the coming weeks, but he's gonna have to have surgery and he'll be out for the rest of the season. Yes (it's an ACL), but there are some other things, so just kind of waiting on the specifics, but yes, that is part of it."

Maryland is the team's top target. He leads the No. 22 Mustangs with 24 receptions, 359 yards and four touchdowns.

The junior has 86 receptions for 1,173 yards and 17 touchdowns in 34 career games.

He is the son of Russell Maryland, the College Hall of Famer who was a star defensive tackle for the Miami Hurricanes before being the No. 1 overall pick of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He was a part of three Super Bowl titles with the Cowboys.

SMU (6-1, 3-0) visits Duke in Athletic Coast Conference play on Saturday. Matthew Hibner is listed at No. 1 on the depth chart at tight end.

--Field Level Media

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