Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst has been diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia after suffering a hit against the Bears on Nov. 9, his father announced Wednesday.
“@haydenrhurst has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Amnesia by an independent neurologist as a result of the hit he took in Chicago November 9,” Jerry Hurst wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!”
During the Week 10 Thursday Night Football matchup, Hurst was hit hard by defensive back Jaquan Brisker when trying to make a catch that ultimately slipped through his fingers. Hurst hit his head on the ground afterward and was slow to get up.
#Panthers TE Hayden Hurst hit his head hard on this play. pic.twitter.com/5ayiteo7Ir
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) November 10, 2023
According to headway.org, PTA is described as “the time after a period of unconsciousness when the injured person is conscious and awake, but is behaving or talking in a bizarre or uncharacteristic manner.
“The person has no continuous memory of day-to-day events, and recent events may be equally affected, so that they are unable to remember what happened a few hours or even a few minutes ago,” the website reads.
Hurst took to X on Thursday to address the injury and said that he plans on playing football again. He added that hopes to make it back in the “last few weeks” of the NFL season.
While it was scary, it is NOT career ending. I'm starting my return to play this week, so fingers crossed I make it back for the last few weeks!
— Hayden Hurst (@haydenrhurst) December 7, 2023
God Bless & Keep Pounding !!!!
Hurst, 30, is in the midst of his sixth NFL season and his first with the Panthers after stints with the Ravens, Falcons and Bengals.