Houston freshman wide receiver Patrick Edwards is recovering from undergoing surgery late Tuesday night in Huntington, W.V.
Edwards suffered a compound fracture in his right leg when he ran into metal carts used by Marshall’s band while trying to catch a touchdown pass in Houston’s 37-24 loss to the Thundering Herd on Tuesday.
After he left the field on a Cushman, doctors operated on Edwards and placed a rod in his right leg. Edwards said he didn’t notice the carts before he crashed into them.
"I just saw the ball in the air and once it came down, I hit the cart and flipped over it," Edwards told the Associated Press. "(The Conference USA officiating crew members) were supposed to check and see if everything is off the field."
Edwards, who has started in seven of Houston’s eight games this year, leads the Cougars with 634 receiving yards on 46 catches and has four touchdowns on the season.
Edwards’ mother, Patricia Edwards, told Houston’s KRIV she might take legal action against Marshall.
"I thought I didn’t have a son anymore, the way he flipped," she said. "I thought we had lost him."
Marshall athletics director Bon Marcum issued an apology following Edwards’s collision and said the carts have been placed behind the end zone for two years without any incidents, but will be moved in the future.
"We are sorry the accident took place and wish Patrick a quick and full recovery," Marcum said.
Marshall head coach Mark Snyder and senior defensive back C.J. Spillman and junior defensive end Albert McClellan paid Edwards a visit Wednesday.
Houston team medical personnel hope Edwards will be able to return to Houston on Friday.