Aubrey Burks, the West Virginia safety, was carted off after a scary neck/head injury during a game against TCU in September 2023, but he was later reported alert with movement in all areas and discharged from the hospital walking on his own.

Quick Scoop

The immediate concern was that he suffered a serious collision while making a tackle on a punt return, which led to a stretcher and hospital evaluation.

West Virginia later said he was alert, and Burks’ own update confirmed he had been released and was walking under his own power.

Later update

By November 2023, Burks publicly discussed the incident and said he felt fully back physically and mentally.

He continued his West Virginia career afterward and was still being covered as an active player in 2024 and into draft scouting in 2025.

Bottom line

So, if you’re asking “what happened,” the short answer is: he suffered a frightening on-field injury, got hospitalized for evaluation, and then recovered enough to return to football.