A frightening scene unfolded during Week 6’s Giants-Bills game on Sunday Night Football after Buffalo running back Damien Harris sustained a neck injury in the second quarter.
With the Bills facing third-and-1 at the 3:32 mark, Harris took his first carry of the game for one yard before being met head-on by Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke, who drove him to the ground. The chilling collision resulted in a stoppage of play as a motionless Harris lay on the turf, prompting the Bills' medical staff to rush to his aid.
After a few moments, Harris was loaded onto a stretcher on the field, where he was seen giving a thumbs-up before being transported away from Highmark Stadium as the crowd applauded in appreciation.
The Bills later announced Harris suffered a neck injury, but has movement in his arms and legs. The team also shared that the 26-year-old will be taken to the hospital for further testing.
Damien Harris gave a thumbs up as he was being loaded onto an ambulance 🙏 pic.twitter.com/umwgGRbnXb
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 16, 2023
Hoping Damien Harris is okay 🙏
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 16, 2023
Scary and emotional scene.pic.twitter.com/eYLCBDsKnzhttps://t.co/MmgD6JLFtL
A free-agent signing in March, Harris, the No. 3 RB on the Bills' depth chart, entered Week 6 with 22 carries, 93 yards, and one touchdown in five games. The 2023 season marks Harris’s first in Buffalo after spending his first four years with the Patriots.