In a worst-case scenario, the Denver Broncos lost their starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the middle of the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Bridgewater, who was struggling in the game as was the Broncos’ offense, carried the ball for a needed first down but was hit from behind and his head slammed into the turf.
Immediately after the hit, Bridgewater lay motionless, with his face down on the field. Denver’s medical team immediately came to the aid of the quarterback, and the cart also came onto the field to help the veteran off.
Bengals send heat and Teddy Bridgewater scrambled for the first, looks like he got hurt. pic.twitter.com/m8H9rOOK2k
— Joe Rowles (@JoRo_NFL) December 19, 2021
As Teddy lunged for the line to gain, his body spun and the side of his head hit the ground with a great force. Most concussions occur when a player’s head it hit from the side, not from the front, and it seemed as though he did suffer a head injury on the play.
Officially, it is a head injury per CBS. Out of precaution, Bridgewater was taken to a Denver-area hospital from the stadium.
Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater was taken to the hospital as a precaution for further evaluation of a head injury.
He has movement in all extremities.
— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) December 19, 2021
The good news was he was conscious when he was carted off the field, and it looked as though he had grip in his hand, as he held a medical professional’s hand.
Drew Lock came into the game to relieve the injured Bridgewater, and the Broncos ran the ball with a great regularity before Lock connected with Tim Patrick for the team’s first touchdown of the game.
That score finished off the drive in which Teddy started, and the Broncos took their first lead of the game 10-9 over Cincy with 1:15 left in the 3rd quarter.
Lock will be the team’s QB the rest of the way today, and it’s possible he will be called upon again next week against Las Vegas.