Colts' Nyheim Hines exits Thursday night's game after hard hit

Sep 18, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines (21) runs with the ball against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at TIAA Bank Field. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Colts' Nyheim Hines exits Thursday night's game against Broncos after hard hit

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/6/22

Last Thursday night, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a scary head injury, which has led many to call for significant changes to the NFL's concussion protocols.

A week later, Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines suffered a brutal hit to the head against the Denver Broncos, leading to yet another frightening scene on the field.

Early in the first half, Hines caught a helmet-to-helmet hit attempting to spin away from a tackler. Hines was in noticeable distress as he tried to get to his feet. Coaches and teammates had to grab hold of Hines and wait for trainers to attend to him.

Scary moment for Nyheim Hines, who definitely looked woozy getting up from a tackle. pic.twitter.com/puC9FIgkcw
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) October 7, 2022

Hines entered concussion protocol before being ruled out for the game.

After sustaining the hit Thursday night, Hines exhibited "gross motor instability," a hot-button issue over the last few weeks.

Under the current league concussion protocols, any player showing "gross motor instability" is eligible to return to a game if cleared by the team physician and Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant.

The NFL and NFLPA were reportedly close to agreeing to changes to the league's concussion protocols before Thursday's kick-off between the Colts and Broncos. Last week, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the NFL plans to remove the "gross motor instability" loophole, preventing any player displaying those concerning effects from returning to the game.

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