Concussion forces Cleveland Browns list TE Alex Smith day-to-day – NFL News
The Cleveland Browns have listed tight end Alex Smith day-to-day. The player is out of the side nursing concussion for which he was hospitalised after the Cincinnati Bengals’ game on past Sunday.
Alex was hit by a Bengals’ tackler in fourth quarter of the game. He walked on the sidelines on his own after the hit but was later shifted to a local hospital in Cincinnati in an ambulance, though he did not look in a serious condition.
His agent Kevin Robinson said the player is out of the hospital now and feeling good but the team is apparently waiting for him to be hundred percent before allowing him to take the field again.
It nevertheless is less likely that the player will be ready in time for the next game, and given that the head injuries always bear many risks including return of symptoms, it is difficult to calculate a timeline for his comeback.
The team has not said anything about the quantum of impact it can take in absence of Smith given a pair of more defensive players are on the sidelines with their respective injuries. Defensive tackle Billy Winn is recovering from concussion
while defensive tackle Juqua Parker from a sprained foot.
Browns have not yet prepared their contingency plan to make for absence of these players, but certainly they will have to look for alternatives to provide cover for the injured players.
Alex’s longer absence will be bad news for the Browns as he remains crucial to the defence performance of the team. It is hoped he recovers sooner enough to avoid a possibility of any serious setback to the team in the next games and future.
If he is able to return even by the next weekend the Browns should consider themselves lucky. The experience of QB Colt McCoy should serve as an example for them that how much time recovery and rehab from the head injuries can take sometimes.
Head injuries have become a subject of heated debate in the National Football League (NFL) due to higher number of players suffering concussions and in spite of the recent tightening of on-field safety measures by the league concussion-related
injuries continue to bother players.
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