If you’ve been following the PRCA trail lately, you know that the name Stetson Wright carries a certain weight. It’s a name that usually sits at the top of the leaderboard, but over the last couple of years, it’s also been a name synonymous with "comeback." People have been scouring the internet for a Stetson Wright injury update today because, frankly, the man is a walking highlight reel who just can’t seem to stay out of the wars.
He's tough. Kinda legendary, actually.
But even legends have a breaking point, or in Stetson's case, a tearing point. After a 2024 season that was basically non-existent due to a brutal hamstring surgery, 2025 was supposed to be the year of the king’s return. And it was—mostly. But then things got weird, and then things got painful, and now we’re looking at the start of 2026 wondering if the "Superstar of Beaver, Utah" is truly 100% or just riding on pure grit.
The Reality of the Hamstring and the 2025 NFR
Let’s be honest, the hamstring injury was a nightmare. We are talking about a full tear that required a "last resort" surgical repair. When Stetson pulled out of the 2023 NFR after just two rounds, the rodeo world went quiet. You don't just "shake off" a surgery that leaves you on a cane for three months.
Fast forward to December 2025. Stetson didn't just show up at the Thomas & Mack Center; he exploded. He won three rounds in the first two days. He was riding like he had a point to prove.
"The biggest fear I had was between my ears," Stetson admitted during the finals. It’s a wild thing to hear from an 8-time World Champion. He was genuinely worried that if he tore that leg one more time, his career was done. Period. No more gold buckles. No more 90-point rides.
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But he made it through. Mostly.
What’s the Word Right Now?
The latest news is actually pretty optimistic, but it comes with a side of caution. If you're looking for a Stetson Wright injury update today, here is the ground truth: Stetson is back on the trail for the 2026 season, but he is navigating a body that has been through the absolute ringer.
Remember September 2025? Most people forget that just before the NFR, he had a horrific wreck in Puyallup, Washington. He ended up with:
- Five broken ribs.
- A punctured lung.
- A lacerated pelvis.
Yeah. Read that again.
He rode the 2025 NFR with those injuries still technically "fresh" in the grand scheme of bone healing. By Round 9 of the NFR, he was visibly beat up, citing left hip and right leg contusions. He literally said, "I hurt when I wake up in the morning."
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Honestly, it’s a miracle he walked away with his sixth All-Around World Title.
As we hit the early 2026 winter run, including the National Western Stock Show and the big indoor rodeos, Stetson is managing his schedule. He isn't "injured" in the sense of being sidelined, but he is "managing." He’s entered, he’s nodding his head, but he’s being a lot smarter about which animals he takes on and how much he pushes the limit.
Why Wacey Schalla Changes Everything
There is a new kid on the block, and his name is Wacey Schalla.
Last year, Schalla pushed Stetson to the absolute brink in the All-Around race. As of mid-January 2026, Schalla is already winning big (like at the Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo in Des Moines). This puts massive pressure on Stetson.
In years past, Stetson could sit out a few weeks and still keep his lead. In 2026? Not so much. The competition is faster, younger, and—crucially—healthier. Stetson is currently sitting in a spot where he has to balance "healing" with "winning."
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The Mental Game of the 2026 Season
You’ve gotta wonder what’s going through his head when he’s behind the chutes.
Rodeo is 90% mental. When you’ve had your lung collapsed and your hamstring stitched back together, that "no-fear" attitude changes. It becomes a "calculated-risk" attitude.
The most recent reports from the Wright camp suggest he is focusing heavily on physical therapy to keep the scar tissue in that leg from tightening up. If that hamstring goes again, the "last resort" surgery doesn't have a sequel. That’s the scary part.
What to Watch For Next
If you are tracking his progress, keep an eye on the "Big Three" winter rodeos. If Stetson shows up at Fort Worth and Houston and looks fluid in the saddle bronc, he’s fine. If he starts turning out (skipping) his bull riding draws, that’s a sign the pelvic injury or the ribs are flaring up again.
Bull riding puts a specific kind of strain on the midsection that saddle bronc doesn't.
Actionable Takeaways for Rodeo Fans:
- Check the PRCA Standings Weekly: The All-Around race between Stetson and Wacey Schalla is going to be the story of the year.
- Watch the Dismounts: You can tell how Stetson’s hamstring is feeling by how he lands. If he’s favoring that right leg on the dirt, he’s hurting.
- Follow the "Wright" Family Socials: Often, the most honest updates come from his mom, Sheree, or his brothers. They’ll let it slip if he’s struggling before the official PRCA news does.
Stetson is currently leading the charge for a ninth (and maybe tenth) gold buckle. He’s active, he’s competing, and he’s proving that even a punctured lung can’t keep a Wright down for long. Just don’t expect him to be invincible. He’s human, even if he rides like he isn’t.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official PRCA entry lists for the upcoming San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. This will be the definitive test of his durability for the 2026 spring run.