Gunner Rivers Injury Update: Nc State Commit, Son Of Philip Rivers Exits Opener

St. Michael Catholic (AL) senior quarterback and NC State four-star commit Gunner Rivers suffered an apparent leg injury during the Cardinals' second drive of their nationally televised game against Battle Ground Academy (TN) on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Down 7-6 in the first quarter, Rivers, who is the son of St. Michael Catholic head coach and former NFL QB Philip Rivers, scrambled trying to gain a first down but was hit hard before making it to the line. He stayed down holding his right leg and had to be helped off of the field.

St. Michael Catholic struggled without Rivers and would go on to miss a field goal, ending what was a promising drive.

Rivers and the Cardinals opened the game scoring on their first drive on a 26-yard screen pass to running back Nygel Mitchell. Before the injury, Rivers was 3-4 for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Replacing Rivers at quarterback is Marshall Pitre.

Gunner Rivers injury update

According to the ESPN broadcast, the initial belief is Gunner Rivers' injury isn't as severe as it looks.

"Philip Rivers, he came over to tell me that his son Gunner took a hit to the right knee. He says we feel like the knee is fine, but right now he's having some spasms after that hit," ESPN sideline reporter Ashley Stroelein said. "He's getting some work on that right knee, currently has it taped up and is working with trainers. But it sounds like, if he can, he will return to the game. They're currently just trying to work through that injury, those spasms and getting it to where he feels good enough to come back."

However, just before the two teams broke for halftime, Gunner Rivers was seen heading to the locker room while wearing a knee brace.

"During the break, we saw Gunner Rivers put his helmet on and try to throw the football," the ESPN broadcast said. "Very first throw that he made, he kind of planted with his right foot as he let go of the ball and just immediately winced in pain."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gunner Rivers injury update: NC State commit, son of Philip Rivers exits opener