A few weeks before the start of the 2024 Memphis football season, Sutton Smith reached out to former Tigers running back Antonio Gibson.

Gibson, one of the most electrifying players to come through the Memphis program, had seen highlights from Smith's first two seasons.

“Dude is special," Gibson told The Commercial Appeal before the season. "I know he’s going to have a promising year.”

That promising year lasted less than a quarter. Smith, who started Memphis' opener against North Alabama at running back and had been getting all sorts of buzz as a potential breakout star, instead saw his season end on a rush for no gain that day that left him clutching his right knee on the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium turf.

Coach Ryan Silverfield announced Saturday after Memphis' 38-17 win over Troy that Smith will have surgery and miss the rest of the 2024 season.

"That's one of my guys," quarterback Seth Henigan had said after the 40-0 win over North Alabama. "It's definitely sad right now."

The full extent of Smith's injury wasn't revealed until Saturday, but there were indications that it was severe. Smith was able to walk to the sideline medical tent, and he later emerged with a knee brace and crutches.

There had been plenty of talk throughout the offseason about Smith and a potential expanded role. An electrifying talent, he produced Memphis' play of the 2023 season with his 48-yard touchdown reception in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. That had fans salivating about what he could do with more touches, and he was listed as a co-starter with South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson on the initial depth chart.

Before the season, he told The Commercial Appeal he wanted to rush for 1,000 yards, return two kicks for touchdowns and win the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player. He was ready, he said, for that expanded role.

"I feel like, if that was the case last year, would I be as ready?" he said. "I don't know. This year, I feel more confident. Bigger, faster, stronger. I feel like it's just perfect timing. I didn't rush it. I trusted the process, and I learned a lot."

The early returns were promising. Smith touched the ball on Memphis' first two plays for scrimmage, and he had five touches on the Tigers' first two drives. But then came the ill-fated carry to the left side of the North Alabama line, and Memphis' best-laid plans were left laying on the turf.

Where does Memphis go from here?

Smith might have the most unique skill set of any Tigers player, but it's not all doom and gloom in the running back room. Anderson was South Carolina's leading rusher in 2023, and he'll be more than comfortable operating as Memphis' lead back. He rushed 17 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's win over Troy.

But how involved will others be? Smith and Anderson both had clearly been slated to play significant roles. The most obvious quasi-replacement for Smith is UMass transfer Greg Desrosiers Jr., a former track star whose speed makes him an ideal change-of-pace back and who Henigan earlier this week referred to as "Sutton-esque."

"Losing a guy like Sutton," Anderson said, "you can't replace that. I don't feel no pressure or anything like that. It's just, the other guys in the room, we play for him. We know we wish he could be out there."

In the running back group chat before the game, everyone agreed, Anderson said: They were playing for Smith on Saturday. That room powered Memphis' offense, without question — Desrosiers had eight carries for 59 yards, and the running backs scored four of five touchdowns against Troy.

Smith was at the game, sitting with his leg up on a chair. He'd been with the team all weekend, including at the hotel on Friday.

"If there's anything I know about Sutton Smith, he's going to work his tail off," Silverfield said. "He's going to recover the right way. He's going to do everything in his power to come back. Because the kid loves his teammates, he loves this program and he's going to do everything he can to recover."

There has been an outpouring of support from fans as well, including a wave of people who went over to wish him well while he was on the field before the game.

Smith got a text this week from Brandon Thomas — who rushed for two touchdowns on two carries against Troy — with a simple message. Thomas has dealt with injuries throughout his Tigers career, and he knows what it's like to be stuck on the sideline.

"Keep your head up," it said. "You're strong. I love you."

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Memphis' running game will move forward without Sutton Smith