San Diego St. football dealing with mumps outbreak ahead of Pac-12 opener — SkimNews
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- San Diego County Public Health Services confirmed 14 mumps cases in a Wednesday bulletin, with the outbreak confined to a single athletic team the San Diego Union-Tribune identified as the football program.
- San Diego State's injury report listed nearly three dozen players Wednesday, including 17 doubtful or out, with nine ruled unavailable for Saturday — notably running back Lucky Sutton (high ankle sprain) and guard Michael Leville Watkins, plus doubtful backup running back Javion Kinnard (knee).
- Coach Sean Lewis told reporters the team has been hit by a "nice storm" of bad injury luck, adding, "Guys have got to be ready to step into the light when the time comes."
- San Diego State had previously confirmed three mumps cases and two probable cases on Sept. 18, all linked to the same team, and said those players were no longer contagious.
- Dr. T. Ghosh, medical director of SDSU Student Health Services, said new cases reflect the 12-to-25-day incubation window, meaning the outbreak was still spreading within the team despite earlier containment efforts.
- San Diego State is providing free MMR boosters and urged avoiding shared drinks, food, or vaping devices, frequent hand-washing, and staying home when sick.
- The Aztecs enter Saturday's game against Texas State coming off a 41-16 loss at Toledo, now facing a depleted roster for their Pac-12 opener.
Why it matters: With 17 players already listed as doubtful or out and nine ruled unavailable for Saturday, the mumps outbreak could functionally sideline a significant chunk of a roster already coming off a 25-point loss, forcing Lewis to rely on depth players in the conference opener against Texas State.
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