The Survivor season 44 cast has already seen an abnormally high volume of injuries in just a few short weeks, with an especially gnarly fall sending one player home early.
Ratu tribemate Matthew Grinstead-Mayle injured his shoulder all the way back on day two after an admittedly ill-advised rock climb ended with a full bone dislocation. The player has been dealing with the pain of said dislocation for seven days since on Survivor season 44, choosing to sit out of this week's physical challenge (an over-and-under obstacle course) to allow his body to heal.
"It's day ten and I'm still dealing with an immense amount of pain," Matthew told his Ratu comrade Kane. "I've been training to be here for like years so it's more than just the pain."
However, after the physical challenge—during which the Ratu and Soka tribes win, sending Tika to the Tribal Council — host Jeff Probst tells Matthew that he wants medical to take a look at his injury. "I know you've been struggling," Dr. Will tells him. "It's just, it's so weak that I can't even, I feel like gravity's going to pull it out of its socket and I'm just really worried because I'm only eating a couple hundred calories a day, and I just don't know how well my body can heal under the conditions I'm in," Matthew worries.
Jeff tells him that he's impressed that he's been playing through his injury. "When challenges came up that you could have sat out to try to preserve your own health, you fought for your tribe," Jeff says.
"I'm not one to give up on something that I want so badly," Matthew proclaims.
However, when it comes time for the Tika tribe to go to the Tribal Council, instead, they find Jeff sailing over to their camp on a boat.
"Matthew is no longer in the game due to his shoulder...he wisely opted to take care of himself long term," Jeff tells them, saying that the medical evacuation is emblematic of"the absolutely unpredictable nature of Survivor." The tribe is shocked, not only that they won't have to vote out one of their three players, but also at Matthew's early departure.
"He wanted to be here and he pushed through all of that pain...the fact that the game can change so fast, that's scary," Yam Yam says.
"Five minutes ago, I'm thinking they might vote me out," Josh says, relieved though saddened about Matthew's exit. "Now it's a new beginning."
Fans react to Matthew's early Survivor exit:
Most Survivor viewers were sorry to see Matthew go so soon, while others took to social media to air out their frustration at the competitor putting himself in harm's way in the first place. Here's what fans are saying:
Poor Matthew, I hope he gets another chance at #Survivor because I feel like he would be great at the game. But look at how he just saved Tika #Survivor44March 30, 2023
Best part of Matthew leaving is that the delusional you tubers and Reddit edgic people can stop being dumb and having him as the top counted or to win when he was NEVER giving winner energy the whole time lmao #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Matthew saying he's dealing with a lot of pain when he constantly takes his arm out the sling and does things with his arm that will actively prevent it from healing if not make it worst #Survivor #Survivor44 pic.twitter.com/Fx93beN89oMarch 30, 2023
matthew left and i do not feel bad. nadie lo mando to become an adventurer and hurt himself. #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Matthew has nobody to blame but himself for his injury, why the hell would you climb up a massive rock structure with no clear path? #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Matthew on Survivor:"...Blah Blah Blah I know I can go anywhere I want to go..."My daughter:"Except to the top of that rock."Yep.#SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Now that Matthew left the game in this fashion, there’s really no good excuse for people to be climbing those dangerous rocks let’s be real lol #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
WE LOVE U MATTHEW #Survivor !!!!!!!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽March 30, 2023
Is Matthew about to get medevac-d? Did they even xrayed his arm/shoulder? 😱 #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Yoooooo okay. All of Tika is safe. Because Matthew climbed a rock day two. Wow. And the journey continues. What did you guys think of tonight’s episode? @survivorcbs #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
Josh’s reaction to the news about Matthew #Survivor pic.twitter.com/Mku0dfzGxQMarch 30, 2023
No Tribal Council and yet tonight was still my favorite episode of #Survivor 44 so far. Sad to see Matthew go but a great episode for the characters of the season!March 30, 2023
Unpopular @survivorcbs opinion, but I can’t bring myself to feel that bad for Matthew since he got injured doing something stupid. #Survivor #Survivor44 #Survivor2023March 30, 2023
Matthew had so much potential and I really thought he was gonna go far but I’m confident he’ll get the call to play again. #SurvivorMarch 30, 2023
