Former NFL player Jordan Shipley, a standout wide receiver for the Texas Longhorns, has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition after suffering “severe burns” in a machinery accident on his ranch in Central Texas.
Shipley, 40, was injured Tuesday near his hometown of Burnet.
A machine he was operating caught fire, according to a statement released by his family and reported by On3.
“Jordan was involved in an accident Tuesday afternoon near his hometown of Burnet,” the family said.
“The machine he was operating on his ranch caught fire, and although he managed to get out, it was not before sustaining severe burns on his body in the process.”
According to the statement, Shipley was able to reach one of his ranch workers, who drove him to a local hospital.
He was later transported by helicopter to Austin, where he remains under intensive medical care.
“He was able to get to one of his workers on the ranch, who drove him to a local hospital.
“He was then care-flighted to Austin, where he remains in critical but stable condition.”
Your prayers for Jordan Shipley are working, please keep them up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/tsuf0D5PRm
— Alex Dunlap (@AlexDunlapNFL) January 7, 2026
Shipley spent three seasons in the NFL after being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 84th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.
He signed a four-year, $2.45 million contract that included a $757,000 signing bonus.
He made an immediate impression during the preseason, returning a punt 63 yards in his first exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys.
However, his professional career was derailed the following season when he suffered torn ACL and MCL injuries.
The Bengals later waived Shipley, and he had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He appeared in six games for Jacksonville before being released in September 2013.
While his NFL career was short, Shipley remains one of the most respected players in Texas Longhorns history.
He played at the University of Texas from 2004 to 2009 under head coach Mack Brown and was among the program’s most productive receivers.
In October 2008, Shipley set a school record with 15 receptions for 168 yards in a win over Oklahoma State.
Shipley appeared in 53 games for Texas, earned All-American honors in 2009, and helped lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 championship and a national title appearance that season.
He recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2008 and 2009.
The family did not release additional details about the extent of Shipley’s injuries other than that the burns are “severe,” and his condition is “critical.”
He remains under close medical supervision as he continues his recovery.
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