Lions' Hockenson suffers concussion, will not go on IR
The hurdling fad may be finished, at least for players who are the size of T.J. Hockenson.
Detroit Lions tight end Hockenson left the team's Week 4 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs with a concussion he suffered when his attempt at leaping over a defender resulted in him lying motionless on the turf.
However, the Lions will not place their 2019 first-round pick on injured reserve, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Hockenson was upended by a defender and landed at an awkward angle on his head and shoulder. He was attended to by medical staff on the field for several minutes before being carted off. Fortunately, the Iowa product was able to avoid a hospital visit.
Detroit Lions TE TJ Hockenson’s scary fall. Most likely going into concussion protocol and will be monitored. pic.twitter.com/r1hvJFdIWY
— Alex Cutler (@alexcutler247) September 29, 2019
"He was in great spirits," Lions head coach Matt Patricia told reporters postgame. "I did get him to smile when he finally sat up, so that was good. That made me feel a little better."
The second-year head coach did, however, say that players should exercise more caution when they're deciding whether to try to lose a defender with a hurdle.
"We got to be very careful when you do leap and you do go up in the air, there's an added risk that's involved with that play," warned Patricia.
Hockenson has snagged 11 balls for 166 yards and a pair of scores through the first quarter of the season. With the Lions on bye in Week 5, he will have some extra time to recover ahead of Detroit's Week 6 divisional tilt with the Green Bay Packers.