Colts' Brandon Williams suffers concussion during loss
Indianapolis Colts tight end Brandon Williams was carted off early in the second quarter of Thursday's 25-13 loss to the Denver Broncos after suffering a concussion.
A core special teamer, Williams was on the receiving end of a helmet-to-helmet hit from Deiontrez Mount while blocking for punter Rigoberto Sanchez. After receiving on-field attention from medical personnel, he was strapped to a backboard for precaution and carted off the field.
Williams was then transported via ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation. He later returned to Lucas Oil Stadium and was in the trainers' room after the game, coach Chuck Pagano said.
"It was a pretty scary thing ... but he's back here," Pagano said. "He's doing well."
The team said Williams did not suffer an injury to his neck. He got a standing ovation from the crowd and received well-wishes from his teammates before being driven off the field.
#PrayersFor85 Update: Brandon Williams is awake and alert. He has no neck pain and has movement in his limbs. pic.twitter.com/rsOgMCrMnZ
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 15, 2017
Back in 2011 with Chip Kelly's University of Oregon program, Williams was forced to trade in football for basketball when team doctors discovered a spinal stenosis condition that was deemed career-ending. After playing hoops at Portland Bible College in 2012, Williams sought another medical opinion and gained clearance to pursue an NFL career.
The 30-year-old spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins and Seattle Seahawks before signing with the Colts last March.
NFL players tweeted out their support to Williams following his injury:
Heres to praying Brandon Williams is ok. Great dude and teammate. Thinking of you buddy #swolebones
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) December 15, 2017
Hope everybody keeps Brandon Williams in your thoughts tonight! Hope your good brother!
— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) December 15, 2017