Daveon Hook Injury Update
Daveon Hook sustained an apparent head/neck or upper body injury during the Armed Forces Bowl on January 2, 2026. The Rice safety took a helmet-to-neck hit from a Texas State blocker while tackling on a screen pass in the third quarter, crumpling to the turf motionless initially. No official diagnosis has been released as of January 3, 2026, but he wore a neck brace, showed arm movement and consciousness on the stretcher, and was released from the Fort Worth hospital around 6:22 p.m. CT that evening.
ESPN's official X account (@espn) posted a stark update from the Armed Forces Bowl: "Rice safety Daveon Hook was carted off the field after this play," capturing the tense moment when the senior collided hard in the third quarter against Texas State on January 2, 2026.
The clip showed Hook stretchered away following a helmet-to-neck hit, halting play for over 10 minutes as 28,243 fans fell silent at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Teammates gathered in prayer, but positive news followed Hook showed arm movement and was released from the hospital that evening, heading back to Houston.
Kind of wild how these bowl games mix triumph and tension; one second it's a screen pass fumble, next it's helmets clashing in the third quarter with 1:16 left. Teammates knelt in prayer around him, a raw moment that stuck with everyone watching replays on ESPN. No fresh scans or statements as of January 3, 2026 morning, but the trajectory points to recovery without long-term drama.
What Happened to Daveon Hook?
Daveon Hook took a hard helmet-to-neck hit from a Texas State blocker while chasing a tackle on a screen pass to Chris Dawn Jr. in the third quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl. He crumpled face-first, lay motionless at first, rolling onto his back as trainers swarmed game paused, cart rolled out slow. By the time they stretchered him, though, arms waved, face moved, even hands covered his eyes like he was just dazed from the thud.
Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) shared a heartfelt reaction on X that Daveon Hook of Rice suffered an absolutely terrible injury in the Armed Forces Bowl, taking a bad hit to the head/neck area that brought out the stretcher and cart. The post sends the best wishes to the young Rice safety, who collided hard in the third quarter against Texas State on January 2, 2026, pausing play for over 10 minutes.
Picture this: Rice down 41-10 eventually, but that play shifted everything to heart-pounding concern. Defensive lineman Chibby Nwajuaku punched the ball loose just before, adding chaos. Coach Abell called it protocol-heavy caution, smart move after seeing too many scary falls in college ball. Fans held breath, but those small twitches? Game-changer for hope.
Not the sendoff Hook planned for his senior finale guy from Cibolo, Texas, just 3 hours from Rice's Houston campus, grinding special teams and defense. Moments like these remind how fragile the gridiron gets, even in bowls meant for celebration.
When Will Daveon Hook Return?
No official timeline exists yet for Daveon Hook's return, as it's only been a day since the January 2, 2026 injury, but early signs suggest he avoids missing much off-season action. With hospital release confirmed and coach noting full mobility, expect evaluations back in Houston soon maybe clears protocols in days if it's just a concussion or stinger. Rice starts spring ball March-ish, so tracking scans over the weekend will tell.
Hard to predict these head/neck hits precisely; some guys bounce back for workouts quick, others sit weeks. Abell's "hopefully all good" vibe feels genuine, not coach-speak fluff. If history holds from his academic all-conference nods, Hook's resilient keep eyes on RiceOwls.com for the next drop, probably Monday.
Bit of a silver lining in bowl losses: extra recovery time before next season. Texas roots run deep for him; hometown buzz in Cibolo might lift spirits too.
Daveon Hook Stats
Daveon Hook wraps a solid Rice career with steady tackling and special teams grit, peaking in 2024 before a quieter 2025. Here's the breakdown, casual-like numbers show a reliable DB who stepped up when needed.
| Year | Tackles | Other Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | Games: 8, TFL: 0, Sacks: 0, INT: 0, PD: 0, FF: 0 |
| 2023 | 16 | Games: 13, TFL: 1.0, Sacks: 0, INT: 0, PD: 3, FF: 1 |
| 2024 | 49 | Games: 12, TFL: 1.5, Sacks: 0, INT: 0, PD: 2, FF: 0 |
| 2025 | 20 | Games: 4, TFL: 3.5, Sacks: 1, INT: 0, PD: 0, FF: 0 |
Career totals hit 95 tackles over 37 games, plus that forced fumble and deflections underrated contributor, especially starting five in '24. 2025 sack was a highlight before the bowl. Stats don't capture heart, though; teammates rallying says plenty about his locker room pull. Hook's 5-11, 184-pound frame fits the scrappy safety mold Houston kid chasing dreams close to home. Bounce back strong, man; Owls nation watching.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on official game broadcasts, team statements, and publicly available social media updates as of January 3, 2026. Medical details, recovery timelines, and return-to-play expectations may change as further evaluations are completed. For confirmed updates, readers should refer to official Rice Athletics communications or statements from team medical staff.
