Sun Sentinel Broward Edition

Alonso’s big hit knocks Flacco from game

Quarterbac­k put under protocol for concussion­s

- By Chris Perkins Staff writer

BALTIMORE Baltimore Ravens quarterbac­k Joe Flacco left Thursday night’s game against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter and was put in the concussion protocol following a big hit by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso to the head and shoulder area after Flacco slid feet first deep in Miami territory.

Alonso was flagged for unnecessar­y roughness, a 6-yard penalty (half the distance to the goal) because it happened at the 11-yard line.

Ravens backup quarterbac­k Ryan Mallett entered the game and finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Watson to give the Ravens a 20-0 lead, their halftime margin. Flacco didn’t return to the game.

Flacco, off to a slow start this season with five touchdowns and eight intercepti­ons entering the game, was scrambling to his right on third-and-10 from the Dolphins’ 20-yard line and advanced to the 11-yard line.

Flacco slid feet first, which is a signal to defenders they can’t hit the quarterbac­k. But Alonso dove to hit Flacco, appearing to make contact to the head and shoulder area, knocking Flacco’s helmet off his head.

That caused a small skirmish as Ravens center Ryan Jensen went to the ground to hit Alonso. After Alonso got up, players from both teams gathered and yapped at each other on the field with Alonso appearing to briefly go face-to-face with Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Flacco was 10 of 15 for 101 yards, one touchdown and no intercepti­ons for a 107.9 passer rating in the game. Dolphins a little breathing room in relation to a playoff berth or bring them right back to the pack.

Miami visited Baltimore on Thursday, hosts Oakland next Sunday night (Nov. 5), and visits Carolina on Monday, Nov. 13. The Raiders are 3-4 and the Panthers are 4-3.

It’s unclear who might be back from injury by the time this stretch is over among quarterbac­k Jay Cutler (ribs), wide receiver DeVante Parker (ankle), left guard Anthony Steen (foot) and defensive end Andre Branch (groin). past five. But coach Adam Gase wasn’t sure this game could be turning point for either team.

“It’s hard to say that early in the season,” Gase said. “I guess we’re both trying to find ways to get better. We’re all working on the different parts of our games. I’m sure they’re not happy with certain aspects and we’re certainly not happy with certain aspects of our total team game. Really, at this point, when you get into this part of the season, you’re just trying to make sure that you’re getting better every week.

“You’re trying to avoid being inconsiste­nt. You’re trying to avoid having one good game, one bad game. Until somebody tells you you’re out of it, you just keep trying to find ways to get better and you don’t worry about all of the other noise.”

 ?? JIM RASSOL/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH­ER ?? Ravens quarterbac­k Joe Flacco’s helmet goes flying as he is hit by Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso in the second quarter of Thursday’s game in Baltimore. Alonso was penalized for unnecessar­y roughness.
JIM RASSOL/STAFF PHOTOGRAPH­ER Ravens quarterbac­k Joe Flacco’s helmet goes flying as he is hit by Dolphins middle linebacker Kiko Alonso in the second quarter of Thursday’s game in Baltimore. Alonso was penalized for unnecessar­y roughness.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States