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While trying to make a clear distinction between a horrific auto accident and an undisclosed violation of team rules, I would conclude that this past weekend was quite a jolt for Utah State's football program.

And let's be honest: Once it became apparent that four USU football players and a former Aggie softball player would survive following Friday's accident, many fans' thoughts naturally turned to how the injuries might affect them when practice resumes in August. That remains unknown, although it is encouraging — for reasons beyond football — that defensive linemen John Taylor and Adawale Adeoye were released from a hospital Sunday. Defensive lineman Travis Seefeldt and Edmund Faimalo remain hospitalized, as does Sarah Vasquez.

Then came the news late Sunday night that star receiver JoJo Natson was dismissed from the program by coach Matt Wells.

That's a big personnel loss for the Aggies, because of Natson's versatility and playmaking ability. The fact is that Natson's legal issues last summer raised questions about his availability in 2014 and undoubtedly played into Wells' decision Sunday. The twist is that in many ways, Natson represented the Aggies' ability to adjust and adapt in the wake of injuries to their quarterbacks and other key offensive players over the past two seasons.

In addition to being USU's top receiver and punt returner, Natson was utilized as a runner, often taking direct snaps. The Aggies are well-stocked at receiver in 2015, but Natson was a dynamic, game-changing player.

So while trying to avoid coldly lumping the weekend's events together, anyone would have to say that the pattern of adversity continues for Wells. He has done a remarkable job of piecing together a 19-9 record in his two seasons as head coach, amid an inordinate number of injuries. He also deserves credit for viewing Friday's accident strictly in terms of his players and Vasquez as people, not just athletes.

Wells hasn't applied the phrase "next man up" to that situation, in other words.

Twitter: @tribkurt