Wizards’ Vernon Carey placed in concussion protocol after traffic accident

The Washington Wizards placed center Vernon Carey in the concussion protocol after the 21-year-old was involved in a traffic accident. Carey is listed as day-to-day.

Carey notified the Wizards medical staff after the team’s practice Wednesday he was experiencing concussion symptoms, according to head coach Wes Unseld Jr.

The Wizards believe Carey’s accident occurred Tuesday after the team’s open practice at Capital One Arena.

Carey will go through steps within the protocol before he is cleared, starting with a neurological evaluation, followed by continued monitoring for a period of 24 hours.

The Wizards play their preseason finale Friday against the New York Knicks. Washington opens the regular season on Oct. 19 at the Indiana Pacers.

Washington acquired Carey ahead of last season’s trade deadline from the Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in three games for the Wizards last season.

The 6-foot-9 Carey is entering his third season in the NBA. He was a second-round draft pick of the Hornets in 2020. He has appeared in 23 games in the NBA, averaging 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. Carey will enter the season as the Wizards’ fourth center.