Texas Tech football alums: Jakeem Grant out for season with leg injury

Former Texas Tech football great and current Miami Dolphins’ receiver Jakeem Grant has suffered a leg injury that will force him to miss the remainder of the season.

What was once looking like a breakout season for former Red Raider Jakeem Grant has now come to a premature end. Monday, it was announced that the Texas Tech football program’s all-time leading receiver has had season-ending surgery after leaving Miami’s November 11th game against the Packers.

Initially, it was feared that Grant had torn his Achilles’ tendon, which would have been devastating for the 5-foot-7 receiver and return man. Having a game built purely on his elite speed, Grant could have see his effectiveness permanently diminished had he torn his Achilles.

But Monday, Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase said that Grant did not tear the tendon but had a procedure to alleviate chronic lower leg pain that has plagued him for his entire NFL career.

"“He didn’t tear his Achilles. He’s able to get a procedure done to where we could get him back a lot sooner, and can fix the things we need to fix to alleviate the pain he’s been going through,” Gase said."

Grant should be back at 100% for 2019 but it comes at the cost of what was already his best season as a pro. After being used sparingly on offense in his first two seasons, Grant had become an integral part of the Miami offense this year thanks to his big-play ability.

In 10 games, he had already set career highs in receptions (21) and yards (268) and tied his career high with two touchdown receptions. What’s more, he was the best kickoff return man in the league averaging a league-high 29.7 yards per return while taking a kickoff back for a score in week-one against Tennessee.

More from Wreck'Em Red

He had also proven to be an excellent punt returner averaging 16.3 yards on 14 returns including a touchdown against Cincinnati. And it has been as a return man where the Mesquite, TX native has made his living on Sundays and this year, he is the only player in the NFL to score on both a kickoff return and a punt return.

And this season, injuries and roster moves opened up opportunities for Grant to get more opportunities on offense and he was making the most of his chance. On the 34 passes sent his way, he made the catch 61.8% of the time, which is impressive for a 5-foot-7 player that lines up primarily at wide receiver rather than in the slot.

"“It’s unfortunate for us because I felt like he was having a really great year. It’s a crushing blow for a guy that gives you everything he has.” Gase said."

What is shocking is that Grant has been dealing with this Achille’s issue since his time at Texas Tech. But he didn’t let that slow him down.

In 2015, Grant passed Michael Crabtree in the season finale at Texas to become the Red Raiders’ all-time leading receiver with 3,286 yards. What’s more, his 1,268 yards that season is the fifth-best single-season total in Texas Tech history and his 27 career touchdown receptions rank fifth all-time.

And if there is any former Red Raider with the heart to fight back from a season-ending injury, it would be Jakeem Grant. A former 3-star high school prospect who had only two power-five offers (Tech and Iowa State) because of his diminutive size, Grant has had to beat the odds throughout his career.

Related Story. Did Antoine Wesley's Biletnikoff chances take hit vs. KSU?. light

Now, he faces a new challenge that derailed his best season to date in the NFL. But Texas Tech fans know that Grant has more than enough heart to fight through this setback and are confident that the former fan-favorite will be back to his play-making ways next season.

Home/Texas Tech Football