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Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos warms up before facing the Tennessee Titans.
The Denver Broncos will wait with bated breath for the next steps as they lost rookie playmaker Pat Bryant to a potentially significant injury in their disappointing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at home in Week 16.
Bryant has made his presence felt, growing his role throughout the season.
However, he suffered an injury on a pass play that left his quarterback, Bo Nix, visibly shaken. The Broncos were ready to get the game over with after it happened.
Pat Bryant Exits Broncos’ Loss to Jaguars
GettyPat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos is carted off the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bryant has stepped into a WR2 role opposite Courtland Sutton in the Broncos’ offense, and he was having a solid day with five receptions for 42 yards. On his final play of the game, Bryant took a big hit from Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown.
The rookie wideout stayed down, and the team’s training staff came out to tend to him.
“Scary situation involving Broncos WR Pat Bryant—who a brutal, but clean hit over the middle of the field,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer posted on X in reaction on December 21. “Both teams on a knee. Bryant’s facemask unscrewed from his helmet. Hope for the best …”
They quickly beckoned the cart and players from both sides of the contest, with Nix slamming his helmet in frustration, amid bluntly honest commentary from the broadcast.
“It’s one of the things you have to be careful about, right? And I’m sure that that’s why Bo Nix is reacting like that. Because this is a defense that plays eyes on the QB, and sees everything developing in front of them,” Darryl Johnston said. “He led his guy into that big hit right there, and he probably feels he’s a little bit responsible for Pat Bryant being on the ground.”
Indeed, Nix said, “I feel responsible because I threw it,” per The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel.
The Athletic’s James Palmer reported medics placed Bryant “directly into an ambulance” and took him to the hospital.
9News’ Mike Klis updated Bryant’s status with “Mostly good news as he has movement in hands and legs. Was taken to hospital for concussion- like symptoms not neurological symptoms which all in all is encouraging.”
He will spend some time at the hospital, with an official update likely to come late Sunday evening or early Monday morning. Broncos head coach Sean Payton also typically addresses the media the day after a game, which could bring another update.
Payton has been guarded with player health information, though. He has chosen to reveal only as much as is on the injury report.
Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey told reporters he is wishing Bryant “nothing but the best.”
Officials Picked Up Flag on Big Hit
GettyMontaric Brown #30 of the Jacksonville Jaguars hits Pat Bryant #13 of the Denver Broncos.
Brown initially drew a flag for the hit on Bryant. However, officials picked it up, much to the chagrin of Broncos fans.
However, Johnston agreed with the decision.
“This is going to be another one of these, at game speed, looks like it should deserve that flag. But again, these officials are watching it at game speed,” Johnston said. “The emphasis that this league has put on this type of hit, and how we’ve moved the target area, is very impressive. And the respect that guys have for each other, because that is –it’s a big, violent hit.
“You’re going to see Montaric Brown come in, away from that area. But you can see, he is stopping all that momentum, and driving it in a different direction. That is the type of hit that the NFL was trying to get into the game and get the helmet-to-helmet out of the game.”
