Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury during Sunday night’s loss to the New England Patriots, head coach Sean Payton confirmed.
“It is tough any time you lose a good player like that. He is in the [concussion] protocol,” Payton said in his post-game press conference. “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.”
Speaking Tuesday, Payton shared little on Sutton’s status — except to say the former Pro Bowl wideout remains in the protocol.
“We’ll keep you posted as the week progresses,” he offered.
Sutton, who leads the Broncos with 10 touchdown catches, was injured less than five minutes into the team’s 26-23 defeat versus New England when his head contacted the grass following a long incompletion. He came up holding his helmet and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
His absence was a major blow to Denver’s offense, which mustered just 193 passing yards and converted only four of 13 third-down attempts.
“Obviously, Courtland not being in there—I think [WR] Brandon Johnson had to step up,” quarterback Russell Wilson said of Johnson, who totaled 47 yards and a TD on three receptions.
Before returning to the field, Sutton must formally pass the league’s multi-pronged protocol, which includes clearance from an independent neurologist.
Until that happens, it’ll be Johnson and Jerry Jeudy leading the WR corps — with Marvin Mims and Lil’Jordan Humphrey seeing increased reps — ahead of the Broncos’ Week 17 home tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers.
