Arizona Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson to go through NFL concussion protocol
Oct 27, 2014, 1:46 AM | Updated: 1:47 am
GLENDALE, Ariz. — With the rash of injuries that has affected the Arizona Cardinals’ defense, it’s hard to believe that the secondary has come away virtually unscathed.
Sure, Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson left the loss in Denver earlier this month with an ankle injury in the second half. But he returned the next week in Washington.
Peterson left the Cardinals’ thrilling 24-20 win over the Eagles in the second quarter after a violent collision between himself, teammate Deone Bucannon and Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin.
He didn’t return to the game. In fact, he didn’t make his way back out to the Cardinals’ sideline.
“Pat is going to go through the protocol,” head coach Bruce Arians said. “Friendly fire.”
To Arians’ point, replays showed that the impact was caused by Bucannon on what was kind of a freak play.
Maclin went down on the play as well, and was evaluated for head injury, but returned to the contest.
Peterson took to Twitter following the game to thank his fans for their thoughts.
Thanks for all the prayers from #p2nation and @AZCardinals fans. I will be O.K. #6-1 moving on to Dallas.
— Patrick Peterson (@RealPeterson21) October 27, 2014
Peterson’s teammate, Rashad Johnson, was confident that #21 would be on the field next week.
“We’re going to Dallas. It’s a big-time game,” Johnson said. “Patrick won’t miss that game, I’m pretty sure. He’ll pass that concussion test.”
Bucannon, the only player of the three that walked away from the collision immediately, shared his recollection of the play.
“I was just trying to follow the all. They threw that slant and I only saw an Eagle player. When I see an Eagle layer, I’m trying to hit him as hard as I can,” he said. “I didn’t realize Pat was back there. I would never want to hurt anyone on purpose, especially on my team.
“I felt really bad. I’m really happy that he’s OK and it was just, not a concussion, but it wasn’t anything more serious that may have taken him out longer that what it would have been. Like I said, I’m thankful and I’m thankful to God that he’s OK.”
