Scary hit on Steeler
The Pittsburgh Steelers are down to their third-string quarterback after Mason
Rudolph was sent to hospital Sunday after getting knocked out.
In the third quarter of Pittsburgh’s 26-23 overtime loss at home to the archrival Baltimore Ravens, Rudolph rolled left and fired a pass complete to James Washington.
An instant later, though, Rudolph was crunched headhigh between two Ravens tacklers, primarily hardcharging safety Earl Thomas.
Replays showed Thomas’ helmet slammed Rudolph under his facemask and square on the chin.
Rudolph’s head and body hit the grass turf hard at Heinz Field, and he lay motionless for some time, as teammates frantically waved for Steelers medical personnel to rush in.
It took Rudolph some time to groggily come to his senses. He was sent to hospital. ESPN reported the second-year pro will be “OK” and that signs “so far” are good.
Thomas insisted afterward he did not intentionally try to injury Rudolph.
“I’m worried about him,” Thomas said, per ESPN.com. “My prayers go out to him and his family. I’ve never tried to hurt anybody.”