England full-back Djed Spence has been spotted sporting a protective mask around his jaw during the team's World Cup campaign, and according to USA Today, there's a straightforward explanation behind it.
The gear is designed to shield an injury Spence picked up, allowing him to continue featuring for the Three Lions without risking further damage to the area. Rather than sitting out, Spence has opted to play through the issue with the added protection, a common approach for athletes managing facial or jaw injuries during high-stakes tournaments.
Protective masks have become an increasingly familiar sight in top-level football, with players choosing to wear customized guards rather than miss crucial matches. Spence's decision underlines his determination to remain available for England as they push forward in the tournament, even while carrying the knock.
USA Today's report doesn't specify further details on how the injury occurred or its expected recovery timeline, but Spence's continued presence on the pitch suggests it hasn't been serious enough to sideline him from England's World Cup push.