SMU defensive lineman AJ Davis was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital after suffering an injury that resulted in neck pain in the second quarter of Saturday night’s home game against Pitt.

Davis appeared to have sustained the injury after his helmet made contact with returner Tyreek Robinson during a tackle attempt.

The SMU redshirt sophomore was placed in a neck brace as he was loaded into the ambulance. Davis’ family, all wearing his number 14, came onto the field at Gerald J. Ford Stadium during the stoppage of play, per Vannini.

Lashlee said in an interview that aired on the ACC Network that the team is “very optimistic” about Davis’ status (h/t On3’s Billy Embody).

“We don’t know for sure. He moved everything, he was alert, so that’s a positive,” Lashlee said. “Obviously he had neck pain, so they were just being extra careful. That’s the best I know, so we’re very optimistic, but obviously pretty scary.”

Davis, who joined SMU in 2022, is a Dallas native and was playing his 20th game for the Mustangs. He had recorded four tackles and one pass defensed in eight games this season heading into Saturday’s game against No. 18 Pitt.