Elijah Riley could return as soon as this week after leaving game on stretcher with scary head injury

Elijah Riley is on the road to recovery after suffering a scary injury in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Tua Tagovailoa threw a screen to Duke Johnson who ran for 20 yards. In the midst of the run, Riley went headfirst to tackle Johnson and was knocked unconscious after bouncing off of Johnson.

A stretcher was brought out for Riley, who suffered a head injury, and he was taken to a hospital. He flew home with the team because they were able to run all the scans and he “checked out fine,” according to Robert Saleh.

Riley became the starting strong safety against the Dolphins in Week 11 after the Jets claimed him off the Eagles’ practice squad. The Long Island native compiled 33 tackles and a quarterback sack in five games of action. Riley provided some stability for a group that’s decimated by season ending injuries to Marcus Maye and LaMarcus Joyner.

Riley is in the concussion protocol according to Robert Saleh. But this injury isn’t career threatening and expects him back this season. Saleh is hopeful he’ll be available against the Jaguars this week.

“Obviously, a very scary concussion is what it ended up being, he’s going to have some soreness and all that stuff,” Saleh said. “But he’s going to make a full recovery and his playing career is not in jeopardy. We’re very optimistic that we’ll get him back this year, and like I said, hopefully this week.”

COVID ISSUES

As COVID-19 cases continue to break out across the NFL, teams are enhancing their protocols to combat spread.

But sometimes precaution can only do so much as the Jets suffered a cluster of positives. Tanzel Smart, John Franklin-Myers, Sharrod Neasman, and Vyncint Smith landed on the COVID-19 reserved list.

Folorunso Fatukasi landed on the list over the weekend, which caused him to miss the game against the Dolphins. Fatukasi’s presence was missed as the Jets allowed 183 yards rushing.

Rookie wideout Elijah Moore, linebacker Hamsah Nasirildeen and special team captain Justin Hardee landed on the list last week.

INJURY REPORT

Quinnen Williams left the Dolphins game with a shoulder injury, the same one he suffered against the Saints. Williams will be limited this week in practice and it’s up in the air if he’ll play this week.

“We’re not ruling him out for this week. We’ve got to see what happens here today, tomorrow, Wednesday,” Saleh said.

George Fant missed the game against the Dolphins with a knee injury, but Saleh expects him to come back Sunday against the Jaguars.

Source: Berkshire mont