Running back Nyheim Hines of the Indianapolis Colts sustained a concussion after being hit hard Thursday night by the Denver Broncos and was later declared ineligible for the contest.
During the first drive, Hines was injured. He struggled to stand up, so he was brought to the locker room to be examined.
The concussion protocol is currently being discussed by the NFL and NFL Players Association in the wake of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion in last week’s Thursday night game in Cincinnati. Hines may have demonstrated an instance of “gross motor instability” after taking the hit.
After having trouble rising from a hit, Tagovailoa played the entire game against the Buffalo Bills on September 25 for the Dolphins. He left the field before it was okay for him to come back, only to end up in the hospital during the game the following week after sustaining yet another blow to the head.
The Colts’ precarious running back position was made worse by Hines’ absence since All-Pro Jonathan Taylor missed the Thursday night game due to an ankle injury. Deon Jackson and Phillip Lindsay, a former star running back for the Denver Broncos, handled the strain, with Jackson gaining 62 yards on 13 carries and Lindsay gaining 40 yards on 11 carries.
The final score was 12-9 for Indianapolis.
