The more we learn about the long-term effects of head injuries on NFL players, the harder it becomes to see plays like the one that hurt Denver Broncos receiver Bennie Fowler on Sunday.
In the second quarter of Denver’s game against Dallas, Fowler leapt for a would-be touchdown pass near the pylon, caught the ball and landed out of bounds for an incomplete pass. He popped up to one knee as if all was fine, hesitated slightly and stood to run back to the huddle. Then he lost balance and fell not once but twice, prompting team medical personnel to rush to his side.
https://twitter.com/jasonrmcintyre/status/909545102946611201
Replay shows that Fowler landed directly on the crown of his head, then couldn’t stay on his feet as he attempted to run it off.
Another look at what happened with Benny Fowler, he was able to walk off pic.twitter.com/QmP0sTwHNl
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) September 17, 2017
Fowler walked off the field under his own power but has not returned to the game—and almost certainly will not return to the game, as he is treated for a concussion.
You’ve got to feel for Fowler, who caught two touchdown passes last week already had four catches on the season, a quarter of the way to his career high, set in his rookie year of 2015. But you also have to worry, as always, for the fate of all the players who make a living taking and giving hits. Football is a damn dangerous game, and you can only hope that injuries like the one Fowler suffered Sunday are as rare and as mild as they can be.
