Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater released from hospital, enters NFL concussion protocol

Teddy Bridgewater has been through so much already in his NFL career. Seeing him get carted off, strapped to a backboard, was a scary sight Sunday afternoon.

Bridgewater suffered a head injury in the third quarter of the Denver Broncos' game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was down for a while before being carted off in front of the quiet crowd. The Broncos lost 15-10 to severely damage their playoff hopes, but the concern was for the popular Bridgewater and his health.

On the play he was injured, Bridgewater ran for the first down and dove, extending the ball. When he was in the air he was shoved forward and landed hard on his shoulder, neck and head. He dropped the ball when he hit the turf and was motionless for a few moments.

Bridgewater suffered a concussion earlier this season but didn't miss a game. On Sunday he was replaced by Drew Lock, who threw a touchdown to Tim Patrick on his first possession.

The Broncos announced during the game that Bridgewater had movement in his extremities but was being taken to a hospital as a precaution. After the game, they announced that he would remain hospitalized overnight for evaluation, but that everything had "checked out well."

Bridgewater released from hospital

It's always worrying whenever a football player has to stay overnight for an injury, but the Broncos announced some encouraging news on Monday. Bridgewater has been released from the hospital following his one-night stay, and will now enter the NFL's concussion protocol.

Bridgewater suffered one of the worst injuries in recent memory, when he blew out his knee on a freak accident in practice. Reports said he could have lost his leg. Bridgewater battled to make it back in the NFL and became a starter again, and was named Broncos starter this season after a training camp competition with Lock.