Two of Mississippi's top players, defensive end Greg Hardy and running back Dexter McCluster, were involved in a car accident over the weekend, coach Houston Nutt said Monday.
According to Nutt, another driver pulled out in front of the vehicle Hardy was driving and made contact with the front right tire, pushing it into the engine. Nutt said the vehicle caught fire but the players escaped serious injury.
Hardy, one of the Southeastern Conference's top pass rushers and an all-SEC pick at his position, aggravated a foot injury and will wear a boot for at least five to seven days, Nutt said. McCluster was bruised and sore. Both players will be examined Monday.
"They are very, very fortunate," Nutt said. "If [the other driver] had hit them in a little bit different place, it could have been even worse."
Hardy has twice had surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. Doctors will re-evaluate the senior after the boot comes off. He was working out daily before the accident with no problems, the school said in a statement.
McCluster is a senior who plays wide receiver, running back and quarterback in the Wildcat formation.
Joe Schad covers college football for ESPN. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.