5 Players that Must Step Up After Cam Edwards Injury

On Monday, Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald confirmed the news that the Spartan fanbase had feared since Cam Edwards went down heavily in the first quarter against Nebraska. The star back from UConn is out for the season with a leg injury.

It is a devastating injury for the back, with teammates always having positive things to say about the player, along with his own goals being ripped from him. After a strong start to the year, one that had him leading the Big Ten in rushing yards after two games, Edwards’s season is over.

Unfortunately for the Spartans, they do not have any time to waste or to bemoan their situation, as the plane leaves to take them to Wisconsin on Friday. Pat Fitzgerald has lived with the “next man up” mantra since the first injuries of the year, telling the press that this became his players’ first chance to play “in the arena,” adding that it will help change players’ practice habits.

If the fans were to get polled on who the offense could not afford to lose heading into the season, Edwards would be at or near the very top of the list. With Edwards out, the strain is now on the Spartan backfield to find replacements and get the offense humming without their star.

Here are five names that will be forced to elevate their habits in light of Edwards’s injury.

RB Jaziun Patterson

Patterson transferred over from Iowa following a scoreless campaign in 2025. The staff was upfront with Patterson that he would be a “1B,” and relieve Edwards, but the senior back was okay with that and said he would make an impact.

The time is now for Patterson to get the chance to be the feature back. He led the team in carries, yards, and snaps among running backs after a touchless campaign at Notre Dame. The back showed strong burst and patience, with quite a few of his runs being a few inches from becoming massive gains.

The Florida native has 26 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.

RB Marvis Parrish

The other back in the original three horse rotation for Michigan State football, Parrish transferred over from Western Kentucky. The true sophomore came off a campaign that saw him with nearly 800 yards, and was quickly prioritized in the portal by running back coach Devon Spalding.

Parrish was described as having solid burst and a few breakaway touchdowns when the Big Ten Network staff came to observe Spartan training camp, but that has yet to be shown on Saturdays. Parrish got limited touches Saturday, even after Edwards went down injured.

The sophomore is going to have plenty more carries and opportunities in the next 8 games. On the season, Parrish has 18 carries for 53 yards.

QB Alessio Milivojevic

With the bell cow back out, the pressure in on for third-year quarterback Alessio Milivojevic to step up to the plate. The role of game manager will be turning into difference maker quickly for the Illinois native.

The Spartan starting quarterback has had a hot and cold start to the season, displaying good patience to take what the defense gave him in the first few weeks. Then, the quarterback had a case of turnovers and extra time holding the ball that became sacks. Milivojevic has had multiple turnovers in the last two games, and cannot have that margin of error even more than ever.

WR Chrishon McCray

McCray has had a slow start to the year before finally showing some fire against Nebraska. The Kent State transfer was held to 11 catches for 84 yards prior to the game, but added over 40 yards, including a one-handed catch in traffic on Saturday.

McCray will be getting more targets as more of Edwards’s burden of carrying the Spartan offensive load is passed to the passing game. The time is now for the Indiana native to turn his last campaign into one that fans envisioned upon landing him in the portal.

Additionally, McCray’s ability as a punt returner to set the Spartans up in better position is even more premium now. The ability to take 10 yards off of the offense’s drive can change the complexion of the game real quick.

TE Jayden Savoury

Much like McCray, Savoury feels the strain of carrying Edwards’s offensive output on two fronts. The second-year tight end currently sits in the top three for receptions and receiving yards for Michigan State football. With the run game being reduced or less viable, the short pass game is likely to look more towards the tight ends to make plays, increasing Savoury’s target share.

The other front Savoury will have to help is the blocking front, as the Canton, Mich. native will be clearing holes for Edwards’s replacement. The tight end has had noted struggles in the past when blocking, but now is a time for than ever that Savoury developing better blocking skills will be a much-needed relief.