A college football star suffered a bizarre setback on Saturday afternoon after a team staff member accidentally slammed his already-injured ankle into a wall. 

The shocking blunder occurred during the second quarter of Cincinnati's Big 12 road clash against West Virginia at Milan Puskar Stadium. 

Defensive tackle Josh Hough had gone down on the field with an apparent left ankle issue, prompting Bearcats training staff to call out the medical cart.

Staff helped Hough onto the back of the cart so the defensive lineman could be taken back to the visiting locker room for evaluation.

However, the medical cart was positioned awkwardly on the sideline, requiring the staff member behind the wheel to back up. 

The driver reversed too far, seemingly pinning Hough's outstretched left leg and foot between the moving vehicle and the concrete stadium wall.

Broadcasters and spectators watched in disbelief as Hough recoiled in agony, visibly clutching the affected leg while the driver scrambled to pull forward.

Commentators on the TNT Sports telecast immediately noted that the defensive star appeared to be further harmed by the careless maneuver.

'His left shoe and sock off. He got carted, and guys, while he got carted off, it appears the cart backed him into the wall, which may have potentially caused him more pain,' TNT sideline reporter Jared Greenberg said on the broadcast. 

Footage of the bizarre sideline mishap circulated quickly across social media, drawing widespread criticism from fans over the driver's handling of the cart.

The Bearcats medical staff later ruled Hough out for the remainder of the contest following the incident.

The setback marks a significant blow to the Bearcats' defensive front as they battle through their conference schedule.

Hough entered Saturday's showdown having recorded 15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks across the team's first five games.