Stanford Cardinal lose star running back E.J Smith to season-ending injury

Smith, the son of Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, appears to have been injured during Stanford's Week 2 loss to USC in its Pac-12 opener.

The Stanford Cardinal will try to turn its season around without star running back E.J. Smith, who will not return in 2022 because on an undisclosed injury, coach David Shaw told reporters on Tuesday.

Smith, the son of Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, appears to have been injured during Stanford’s Week 2 loss to USC in its Pac-12 opener. Smith didn’t play last weekend in the Cardinal’s loss to Washington.

Stanford (1-2, 0-2 Pac-12) plays at No. 13 Oregon on Saturday night. Casey Filkins replaced Smith as Stanford’s lead back against the Huskies and rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries.

“I don’t think there’s an option for him to continue (this season),” Shaw said Tuesday. “He’s got to get his body taken care of. Trust me, he wishes it was not this way.

“He told me last week, ‘Coach, I can’t wait to play against Oregon. I’m going to be there for you. I need to get back in there.’ But the doctors are right and it’s wise for him — both now and for his future — to get this taken care of and come back in ’23 bigger, faster, stronger.”

Smith rushed for 206 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run, in two games. He also catch eight passes for 63 yards and scored four touchdowns.

Check back for more on this developing story.