Broncos All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II suffered a concussion in the first quarter Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers and will not return to the game.
Surtain had tight coverage on Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey and broke up a pass, but hit his head on the turf as they rolled over.
Surtain stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes while being attended to by medical staff. He was then able to get up and jog off the field on his own, but he had his hands raised up and holding his helmet as he made his way off the field.
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After briefly going to the sideline medical tent, he was escorted to the Broncos’ locker room.
Surtain now enters the NFL and NFL Players Association’s jointly agreed upon concussion protocol. Because Denver is headed into a short week and a game at New Orleans on Thursday night, Surtain would be unlikely to clear through the protocol in time to play in that game.
The cornerback is the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week after he had two interceptions — including a game-altering, 100-yard return for a touchdown — last week against Las Vegas.
Concussions could leave the Broncos play without their top cover man and New Orleans without its top receiver Thursday night as Saints receiver Chris Olave suffered a concussion earlier Sunday in a loss against Tampa Bay
This story will be updated.
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