ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — Following a hard helmet-to-helmet hit in the second half, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has officially entered concussion protocol.
Allen was on the run in the 4th quarter when Jonathan Jones hit Allen with his helmet, knocking him to the ground. He was tended to by trainers before running off the field and into the locker room. He didn't return as Matt Barkley took over for the remainder of the game.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott confirmed that Allen was in concussion protocol during his postgame press conference. He also commented on the hit saying, "There's no room for football for that [the hit]. It's a shame to Josh, or any player for that matter, go down from a hit like that."
Following the game Allen's teammates, including Micah Hyde, were frustrated about how it all played out as well.
Micah Hyde when asked about the hit that injured Josh Allen -- If one of us did that to 12 we wouldn't be playing in the game anymore @WKBW #Bills #Patriots pic.twitter.com/2O5ITeHTNw
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) September 29, 2019
The NFL has released a statement regarding the hit. Senior Vice President of Officiating, Al Riveron said, “Well, we looked at it and in this situation, we didn’t feel that that contact rose to the level of an ejection. The player actually turns. Obviously, there is helmet contact, but we have standards for an ejection, and this did not rise to that standard; therefore, we did not eject him. There was a foul called and obviously the penalty stood, but we did not feel this contact rose to that level.”
Barkley is the lone quarterback on the Bills roster other than Allen. The Bills are set to take on the Tennessee Titans next Sunday.
