Gunner Kiel Injury: Updates on Cincinnati QB's Ribs and Return

Updates from Friday, Oct. 24 

Eye on College Football indicates Gunner Kiel has re-injured his ribs:

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 7

Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported on Gunner Kiel's status for this week:

Original Text

Facing a 41-14 deficit to the Memphis Tigers in the fourth quarter, the Cincinnati Bearcats were already having a bad Saturday. Then, Gunner Kiel exited the game.

Ryan Koslen, Cincinnati's assistant athletic director, reported that Kiel suffered a chest injury:

The team later announced the quarterback would miss the rest of the game:

Before leaving, Kiel was 11-for-27 for 216 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Through the first four games of 2014, the sophomore transfer from Notre Dame has been the Bearcats' most important offensive player. Entering the night, he was eighth in the nation in quarterback rating (185.8) with 1,041 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Since a comeback against the Tigers appeared very unlikely for Cincinnati, perhaps the Bearcats staff decided to remove Kiel as more of a precaution. The full extent of his injury will obviously be revealed after the game.

Cincinnati hits the road over the next two weeks, playing the Miami Hurricanes and following up with the SMU Mustangs. Winning those two games will be much more difficult if Kiel is missing.