Towards the end of 2023, Purdue was busy stacking up transfer linemen. One of them was Jamarius Dinkins. On a Sunday in December 2023, he announced his transfer from Kentucky to Purdue. After a 2024 season that witnessed him record nine combined tackles, he had big plans for this season. Things were on track, too, until…

In an unfortunate incident, he was bitten by his dog. “Purdue DT Jamarius Dinkins is out tonight because he was bitten by his dog, per Tim Newton on the Purdue radio broadcast,” Journal & Courier’s reporter Sam King wrote on X. Even On3’s Tom Dienhart reported the matter.

The player missed out on the game against Minnesota on October 11. He was not on Purdue’s injury report, suggesting that the incident may have taken place only a couple of hours before the game. However, not much information about his health, injury, or the circumstances is known.

In the end, his team lost the game against Minnesota, 20-27. But it wasn’t because Dinkins didn’t play. They had other woes.

For instance, this is the first time this season the team started with players other than its original five offensive linemen: Joey Tanona (left tackle), Jalen St. John, Bradyn Joiner (center), Ethan Trent (right guard), and Bakyne Coly (right tackle).

The Boilermakers were also without WR De’Nylon Morrissette, who has yet to play this season. Plus, TE George Burhenn missed his second consecutive game after sustaining an arm injury against Notre Dame.

But coming back to Dinkins, while his injury comes across as a rather rare one, it also reminds me of an incident from back in the day.

Going back to 2007, Auburn had to review its security procedures after a police dog bit cornerback Jerraud Powers. The episode happened in the fourth quarter of the Iron Bowl when the player was celebrating a pass break-up in the end zone. Although Powers continued playing, he had bite marks on his hand and pinkie finger.

“We certainly will review it and consider making some adjustments after that incident,” Associate Athletics Director Jeff Steele, who looks after event operations, had stated.

Football history is filled with unusual injuries that have left players sidelined and fans in disbelief. Remember former Jacksonville Jaguars punter Chris Hanson, who suffered an injury while participating in a team exercise involving chopping wood with an axe? He accidentally gashed his own leg, proving that even the most well-intentioned team-building activities can have unexpected consequences.

Additionally, some college football players have sustained damage in strange ways. For example:

• USC player George Farmer missed time in 2012 after a spider bit his arm, which had to be treated by doctors.
• In 2013, California freshman running back Fabiano Hale was hospitalized after a locker-room fight. He suffered a concussion and needed stitches in his ear.
• Other odd cases include players getting hurt while joking around. In 2017, a Boise State player was badly injured after a slap-boxing game with a teammate turned serious.

Purdue football fans can only hope that Dinkins recovers quickly and returns stronger.