Broncos’ Pat Bryant Faces Significant Recovery Time After Scary Hit

Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant is still recovering after being carted off the field following a hard breakup on a pass in the final seconds of a late-game collision that overshadowed the Denver Broncos’ 34–20 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 21.

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The play happened near the end of regulation at Empower Field at Mile High. Bryant went up for a catch along the sideline when Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown arrived at full speed and made forceful contact as the ball arrived, which sent Bryant down hard. The initial reaction inside the stadium turned tense immediately as trainers sprinted onto the field, and Bryant remained motionless for several moments.

Officials initially threw a flag on the hit, but after a brief discussion, they picked it up and ruled the contact legal. Bryant was placed on a stretcher and transported off the field to the hospital for further evaluation. Broncos coach Sean Payton said after the game that, “Bryant had movement in his extremities, an encouraging sign given the seriousness of the scene.”

There has been a positive update: Bryant had been discharged from the hospital, with the expectation that the evaluation was primarily related to a concussion.

Before leaving the game, Bryant had been one of Denver’s more productive receivers; he finished with five catches for 42 yards. For the season, he has 27 receptions for 347 yards and one touchdown in a crowded Broncos receiving group.

Jacksonville’s win extended its surge and kept the Jaguars in the AFC South race.

Bryant didn’t play in Jacksonville’s 31-28 victory over the Chiefs last week. He now faces significant recovery time before heading back on the field.

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Article by Ed Middlecoff