The Aggies are in trouble, in more ways than one. Despite getting out of the playoffs in the first round, Mike Elko’s 11 win season had given fans plenty to be optimistic about. But the loss to Kentucky has brought about a reality check along with a permanent loss on offense.
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Considering that Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns were kept out of the postseason after 2 losses, the rest of the regular season needs to go perfect for Texas A&M to still compete for the Natty. But with the latest developments, they will have to find someone new to do that all-important job of kick returns.
Texas A&M wide receiver and return specialist Terry Bussey is out for the rest of the 2026 season. “We kind of thought that was going to be the case, and that was that way, so it’s a lower-body injury, and we’ll look forward to him recovering,” Head coach Mike Elko confirmed on September 21, during his weekly media availability. “And he’ll be back with us next year,” he added.
Bussey was injured on the opening kickoff against Kentucky, about four seconds into the game. He fielded the kick as the returner and fell while trying to cut around a Kentucky defender. It was a non-contact injury, as the cameras caught him slip on his right leg and stay down. Don’t let the special teams appearance fool you. This was a dynamic playmaker crucial to the team’s success.
Bussey is a former five-star athlete and the primary kickoff returner and a main punt-return option, along with being a reliable offensive piece. Before the injury, he had 7 receptions for 92 yards. That is 13.1 yards on average per catch, ranking second on the team.
He also helped out in the run game with 4 carries for 10 yards and 1 rushing touchdown. On special teams, he compiled 3 kick returns for 43 yards, and 2 punt returns for 32 yards. But the best part about Bussey was his availability.
Bussey had stayed ready to go on that gridiron through most of his career until now. He played 12 games as a freshman in 2024 and all 13 games as a sophomore in 2025. Then, he played two full games in 2026 before the Kentucky kickoff. You just couldn’t keep him off the field even though there were injuries that he had to fight through.
A hamstring issue in spring of 2025 had caused Bussey to miss several practices, but he returned and played every game that fall. In spring 2026, he had an ankle or lower-body issue after getting tangled with a cornerback and missed some practices. But as always, he came back.
“I had a little ankle injury in the spring, which set me back a little bit, but I got back from that really, really, really quick, so it wasn’t too bad, wasn’t too major,” Bussey explained during the offseason. Bringing us back to the present, this current injury which has sidelined him for the year is yet to be properly revealed.
Elko has not disclosed a specific diagnosis. He has only called it a lower-body or lower-leg injury. The news followed the concern that started right after Saturday’s game. After trainers had helped him onto a cart and took him to the locker room, Bussey later came back to the sideline in street clothes in the second quarter but did not play again. Kentucky won 31-21 and scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.
“That’s probably going to be a long one. We’ll hold a little bit on that one until Monday, but there are no signs that indicate that it’s good right now,” Elko already sounded worried about Bussey after the game on Saturday.
Texas A&M now turns to a road test at LSU next week. After losing 32-24 to Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin and Aggies share the same 2-1 record. This is a do or die game for both squads as the loser is probably out of the postseason. An incredible thing to say with just 4 weeks of college football being played.
Bussey is expected back in 2027 as a senior if he somehow fails to get a medical redshirt. That leaves the Aggies short of a dynamic role player right as they walk into a ranked road night game at one of the toughest places to go win when it comes to this sport.
What Can Texas A&M do without Bussey at LSU?
Texas A&M cannot replace Bussey with just one player. He handled both receiver duties and return jobs. Ashton Bethel-Roman was already out against Kentucky, and running back Jamarion Morrow was also unavailable or doubtful. Tiger Riden Jr. is out for the season, whereas KJ Edwards left the Kentucky game too. The staff will likely use a committee.
Mario Craver became Reed’s main target against Kentucky. He had 11 catches for 119 yards on 19 targets, a career high. That was more than half of Reed’s 236 passing yards.
He also took the punt-return job that night, with 1 return for 0 yards, and has 4 punt returns for 27 yards this year. He will take on more of the load, though he already had a big role.
Isaiah Horton is another option. He has 12 receptions for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. Against Kentucky, he had 5 catches for 61 yards.
Ashton Bethel-Roman missed Kentucky with an injury and was listed as a co-starter and a kick-return option. He has 2 catches for 13 yards so far in 2026 after a 2025 breakout of 24 catches for 503 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Elko has not named one next to Bussey. The Aggies could use more two-tight-end or running-back looks if the receiver room stays short. They now go from a tough Kentucky loss into a ranked road night game without him for the rest of the season.