A scary moment unfolded during the first quarter of Alabama’s game against Missouri on Saturday when freshman wide receiver Derek Meadows went down after taking a vicious hit while attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Ty Simpson. The 6-foot-5 receiver from Las Vegas remained on the turf for several moments following the collision with Missouri defensive back Marvin Burks Jr., lying motionless and face down with his right arm positioned awkwardly. Officials immediately called for a targeting review, and after examination, Burks was ejected from the game. The sight of Burnks on the ground sent shockwaves through the Alabama sidelines as fans saw the WR receive medical attention.

The medical response was nerve-wracking to watch unfold in real time. ESPN sideline reporter Katie George provided a detailed account of what happened: “Jeff Allen, the head athletic trainer for Alabama, got to Meadows immediately while he was face down on the field. They stabilized his neck, rolled him over onto his back. Once they stabilized the neck when he was face up, they started testing his mobility and movement of his hands and his legs. He was able to move both, and he walked off the field under his own power.”

The stadium fell silent as the training staff worked, and it took several minutes before they were able to sit Meadows up and eventually help him to his feet. And that’s when fans had a simultaneous sigh of relief. Meadows walked off without needing a stretcher or cart, but the state of him lying motionless on the ground was nerve-wracking. Meadows, who flipped his commitment from LSU to Alabama in the 2025 recruiting class, has been working to carve out a role in the Crimson Tide’s loaded receiver room this season. 

The four-star prospect was ranked as the top player from Nevada and the No. 7 wide receiver nationally by 247Sports, bringing a rare combination of size and speed to Tuscaloosa.  He’s seen limited action through the first part of the season, recording snaps against Florida State, ULM, and Vanderbilt, but has yet to log his first career reception. 

The latest update on Meadows’ status suggests that he probably won’t be returning to the game and will enter concussion protocol. After being helped off the field, Meadows was back on the Bama sidelines in sweatpants and was walking around. Simpson’s throw appeared to leave Meadows vulnerable over the middle of the field, and Burks delivered a shoulder-to-helmet blow on a defenseless receiver that officials deemed clear-cut targeting worthy of immediate ejection. Because the penalty occurred in the first half, Burks won’t miss Missouri’s next game against Auburn, but he’s done for the day against Alabama.​

Social media erupts with concern and criticism

The instance Derek Meadows hit the turf and stayed down, social media exploded with prayers. Barstool Bama posted the immediate sentiment of every Alabama fan, “Please be ok, Derek Meadows.” The replies came fast and furious, with one fan trying to find a silver lining in a terrifying situation, “Hopefully he just got knocked out and there’s no other damage… Ty Simpson got him clocked with that ball.” It was the comment that acknowledged both the severity of the hit and the uncomfortable reality that Ty Simpson’s throw had left his receiver completely exposed over the middle. The prayers started flowing immediately, with fans from both sides typing out “Prayers up. That looked awful” as the medical staff worked to stabilize Meadows’ neck and check his mobility.

But everyone was not focused on Meadows’ well-being. A lot of fans directed their attention and criticism to the quarterback who delivered that hospital ball to Meadows. A fan said, “What a hospital ball omg wtf Ty.” The reaction seems genuine because the throw looked high and was forced. Moreover, Meadows wasn’t fully open. Another fan commented, “Prayers immediately went up! that was a dirty hit.” The hit was indeed dirty. It was a shoulder-to-helmet collision, which was ruled targeting, and Burks Jr. had to take the brunt of the blame. But even though the blame rests with Burks, people won’t forget Ty’s throw was the one that put Meadows into that position.