Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a left shoulder injury, ESPN reported Thursday. The outlet said Lacy — who has one year of college eligibility remaining — will be sidelined for the rest of the season, and that he could either return to school or explore the NFL Draft.
Kewan Lacy injury and outlook
ESPN cited unidentified sources for the update on Lacy’s status. CBS Sports, which also reported Lacy would be out for the season, noted he has been limited by injuries throughout 2026 and has not played since Ole Miss’ Oct. 24 loss to Texas.
Season numbers and 2025 context
CBS Sports reported Lacy finished the 2026 campaign with 388 rushing yards and five touchdowns over six games. The outlet contrasted that with his breakout 2025 season, when Lacy led the nation with 306 rushing attempts and compiled 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns; he also had 29 receptions for 177 yards that year, per CBS.
CBS added that Ole Miss’ rushing output dropped from 176.3 yards per game in 2025 to 147.3 yards per game in 2026, a decline the outlet tied to Lacy’s absence and limited effectiveness this season.
Draft implications cited by analysts
CBS Sports discussed the potential effect of the injury on Lacy’s NFL prospects. The outlet referenced a mock-draft projection from analyst Mike Renner that placed Lacy at No. 59 overall; Renner also said Lacy is “not even close to first-round,” according to CBS.
ESPN’s report noted Lacy has one season of eligibility remaining, meaning he faces a decision about returning to college or entering the draft after the season-ending injury.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports