Colts’ Nyheim Hines exits Broncos game in first quarter with apparent head injury after hard tackle

Another NFL player has suffered a head injury during Thursday night football between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts — barely a week after Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion before returning to the field.

Colts running back Nyheim Hines received a five-yard pass from QB Matt Ryan before being caught in a tackle between DJ Jones and Nik Bonnito, the latter’s helmet making contact with Hines’.

At first, Hines appeared to have emerged from the challenge unscathed, but he then showed clear signs of gross motor instability – similar to Tagovailoa – before leaving the field in the first quarter on a third and seven.

Colts offensive linemen Quienton Nelson and Bernhard Raiman helped the 25-year-old stand before the Colts medical staff assisted the player.

He was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday’s game due to NFL concussion protocol, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

‘So sad to see. I hope he recovers well and I’m glad we don’t have to worry about his return to the game this week,” said concussion expert and neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, PhD.

“Technically, Hines doesn’t need to be tested for a #concussion to rule him out,” added the Concussion Legacy Foundation co-founder and CEO. “Nothing that happens in the locker room according to protocol, it can’t stand being able to get up after a hard blow to the head. At least that’s how it should be.’

Hines’ outcome was similar to Tagovailoa’s in the first half of last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after he was knocked to the ground by linebacker Matt Milano, who was flagged for the illegal layoff at the game.

The 24-year-old Dolphins QB was then allowed to return to action after clearing the concussion protocol, despite clear signs of gross motor instability. He and the team later explained that his legs wobbled due to a back injury.

That did little to appease critics who say Tagovailoa should never have appeared for the next game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29—just four days after the head-on collision.

The Native Hawaiian suffered a concussion in that game and the Dolphins’ UNC (unaffiliated neurotrauma counselor) who exempted him from entering concussion protocol against Buffalo was fired by the union, and the league and union said changes were needed in the concussion protocol.

The league and the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) issued a statement last week saying they had not drawn any conclusions about “medical errors or protocol violations” while the investigation is ongoing. But the two added that “adjustments are needed … to improve player safety.”

Tagovailoa’s concussion has been topic #1 in the NFL heading into Sunday’s series of games.