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

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

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

At first, Hines seemed to have come out of 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 matchup due to NFL concussion protocol, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

‘So sad to watch. I hope he recovers well and I am glad we don’t have to worry – this week – about him returning to the game,’ said concussion expert and neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, PhD. 

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

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

The 24-year-old Dolphins QB was then allowed to return to action after clearing concussion protocol despite showing obvious signs of gross motor instability. He and the team later explained his legs were wobbly because of a back injury.

That did little to placate critics who say Tagovailoa never should have been allowed to suit up for the following game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29 – just four days after the head collision.

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

The league and the NFLPA (NFL Players Association) issued a statement last week that said they had made no conclusions about “medical errors or protocol violations” while the investigation is still underway. But the two added that “modifications are needed … to enhance player safety.”

Tagovailoa’s concussion has been topic No. 1 across the NFL heading into Sunday’s slate of games.