Russell Wilson nearly led the Denver Broncos to an incredible comeback victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday but left the game early with a concussion.
On 3rd-and-11 from the Chiefs’ 16-yard line, Wilson scrambled for a first down and was about 2 yards short of the end zone when he was tackled by safety Juan Thornhill. Wilson went down hard and appeared to be in a daze. He needed to be helped up by medical personnel.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
He wouldn’t return to the game and the broadcast camera showed the veteran quarterback with a big knot in his head as he roamed the sideline.
Russell Wilson had to go to the blue tent after taking this hit https://t.co/R2Q06MXs1t
— alex (@highlightheaven) December 11, 2022
Russell Wilson took a big shot for the team, sacrificed and is down. #NFL pic.twitter.com/oUn7UpBNwV
— The Whole Delivery (@TWDTV1) December 11, 2022
Brett Rypien came into the game and threw a touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy to cut their deficit to just six points. But Rypien failed to complete the comeback and the Chiefs won the game 34-28.
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is helped off the field during the Kansas City Chiefs game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Wilson was 24-of-36 passing with 247 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. It was the first time all season the Broncos had scored more than 25 points in a game.
“He was fighting the whole game,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “I give him so much credit and you see it, day-in and day-out. No matter what the situation is, just watching him there in that third-down situation to be able to break the pocket, and he was using his legs a lot. He obviously ended up getting a concussion. I think our medical team did a great job of getting him in here. He’s in the concussion protocol now. So we’ll go through that step-by-step process and do it the right way. But he played really well.”
Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson removes his helmet after receiving a concussion during the Kansas City Chiefs game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)