Four and a half minutes into Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson threw a deep pass down the left sideline intended for wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Sutton failed to secure the catch and when he fell to the ground, the back of his head smacked the ground. The receiver immediately put both hands on his helmet, one of the signs of a potential concussion.
Sutton was removed from the game to be evaluated for a possible head injury and he was later ruled out with a concussion.
Denver’s offense struggled without its best receiver and the Broncos went on to lose to the Patriots 26-23. After the game, Denver coach Sean Payton confirmed that Sutton has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.
“It is tough any time you lose a good player like that,” Payton said. “He is in the [concussion] protocol. I think it happened early in the game and there were a couple of adjustments that we made and then you go play. Knock on wood, we have been healthy. That is the first time something like that happened.”
Going into Sunday’s game, Sutton had totaled 58 receptions for 770 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. With the Broncos needing a near-miracle to make the NFL playoffs, there’s no guarantee Sutton will return to the field this season. Sutton will need to pass the league’s five-step protocol before being cleared to play again.
