RALEIGH — N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren said "all the reports from the hospital are positive" about quarterback Grayson McCall, who was injured on a "vicious hit" in the first quarter against Wake Forest.

Following the Wolfpack's 34-30 loss to the Demon Deacons on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium, N.C. State football provided an update on McCall’s status via social media.

At 6:24 p.m. Saturday night, from its X account, N.C. State football provided the following update: “Grayson McCall has been released from the hospital. He is alert and in good spirits and all scans were normal.”

After missing two games with an undisclosed injury, McCall made a brief return for the Wolfpack. Five minutes into the game, on N.C. State's opening drive, McCall sprinted up the middle and was met with a massive hit by several Wake Forest defenders.

“He took a really vicious hit. It’s just, sometimes, football is a very violent sport at times," Doeren said. "That was a big hit that he took. I hate it for him. You just hate to see a guy get hit like that. Obviously, the results of those kind of hits are scary.”

The helmet-to-helmet contact sent McCall’s helmet flying, dislodged the ball and left McCall motionless on the field as his teammates immediately signaled for medical personnel.

“It was heartbreaking to see that. He’s a guy who’s fought hard for us. ... He’s a captain," N.C. State offensive lineman Timothy McKay said.

"To see him go down earlier in the season, and go down again this week, it’s kind of disheartening. I just know how hard he works for us, and it’s just really sad seeing that.”

The Coastal Carolina transfer had his jersey removed and appeared to be fitted for a neck brace as he was put on a stretcher. He also appeared to hug his mother before being carted off the field. As the cart was rolling toward the away tunnel, McCall pointed two fingers toward the sky.

“I was worried for him. I didn’t see … everyone was yelling targeting. I couldn’t see it from where I was standing, so I was more concerned about him. Just getting out there and making sure," Doeren said.

"(NC State athletic trainer) Justin Smith and the sports (medicine) team did a great job with him. Grayson, once he came to, was talking and said, ‘I want the boys to win the game.’ He was trying to get up and they wouldn’t let him. I felt bad for him and his parents. You’re just trying to be comforting and pray for him in that moment.”

In five-plus seasons of college football, McCall has yet to play a full season and has a history of head injuries. When asked about the move to re-insert McCall as the starting quarterback this week, Doeren said the veteran QB "went through the entire (concussion) protocol and was cleared" to play against Wake Forest.

“(Grayson) had a great week of practice," Doeren said. "He’s our starting quarterback, he’s a captain, and you don’t lose your position to injury. He was ready to play.

In the 2023 season at Arkansas State, McCall was reportedly knocked unconscious and carted off the field before spending the night in a hospital. He missed the final six games of the 2023 season with the Chanticleers and entered the transfer portal.

The Wolfpack (3-3, 0-2 ACC) hosts Syracuse (4-1, 1-1) next Saturday night (8 p.m.) at Carter-Finley Stadium.

(This story was updated with new information.)

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Grayson McCall: Dave Doeren provides injury update on Wolfpack QB