San Diego State faces mumps outbreak before Texas State game: What we know
San Diego State football listed 33 players Thursday on its injury report, with 21 being either questionable, doubtful or out. While some are dealing with football-related injuries, at least 14 players have the mumps, with a 15th being a probable case, according to a university bulletin.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Sept. 18 that there were three confirmed and two probable cases of the illness. The Union-Tribune then reported Monday that four more SDSU players had been infected.
Texas State is slated to travel to San Diego for its first conference matchup as a Pac-12 program. Here’s what to know about how the breakout affects the Texas State Bobcats’ Saturday game against the Aztecs.
Who’s out for San Diego State?
SDSU running backs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard are out and doubtful, respectively, for Saturday’s matchup after suffering injuries against Toledo. Guard Michael Levelle Watkins is out, while the entire tight end room is on the injury report. Head coach Sean Lewis declined to name the players affected by mumps when asked, citing federal privacy laws.
"The football gods have not really favored us with the injury luck," Lewis told reporters Wednesday.
Most recover from mumps within a week to 10 days, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
San Diego States’ Josh Hunter (29) during an NCAA college football game in San Diego, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026. (John McCoy/Associated Press)
What are the symptoms of mumps?
Dr. T. Ghosh, medical director of San Diego State Student Health Services, said in an email Wednesday that mumps symptoms can develop 12-25 days after exposure. Therefore, the number of players affected could grow by the time the Aztecs release the final injury report ahead of their game against the Bobcats.
The most apparent physical symptoms include puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. Fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and pain or tenderness near the ears or jaw are other common attributes.
Mumps spreads through respiratory droplets. Sneezing, coughing, sharing utensils and even talking are ways mumps can spread throughout a group.
Are SDSU students required to get the MMR vaccine?
The SDSU website states that immunization requirements include two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, or laboratory evidence of immunity, subject to approved exemptions.
The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention website says that two vaccine doses are 97% effective against measles and 84% effective against mumps. Vaccinated people can still incur mumps for a variety of reasons, including prolonged exposure to someone with the virus or if an immune system’s ability to fight the infection decreases over time.
This article originally published at San Diego State faces mumps outbreak before Texas State game: What we know.
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