It wasn’t all good news for the Buffalo Bills after they rolled over Denver 31-7. Ray Davis was hit in the side of the head by safety Brandon Jones’ helmet. The trainers urgently set up a stretcher for Davis as they conducted his first medical examination under the watchful eyes of the stadium, but the rookie, in an act of sheer will, managed to escape the field and return to the locker room under his own power, defying the fate that seemed to await him.
Although Davis was able to get to his feet and walk away from the scene, the hit left evidence that he may have suffered a brain injury. Obviously, the player was no longer in condition to remain on the field
Prayers: #Bills RB Ray Davis is walking off the field straight to the locker room with help from trainers after taking a scary helmet-to-helmet hit.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 12, 2025
Buffalo quickly updates Davis’ status
“Davis has been downgraded to OUT (concussion)”. It was the first release they made from their X account, from the communication account. A few minutes later, a report from the official website was provided
“Bills rookie running back Ray Davis left the game with six minutes remaining in the third quarter after taking a hit that resulted in a unnecessary roughness call on Denver. Davis walked straight to the locker room with Bills medical staff after the play. The Bills announced Davis is out for the game”, was the message they shared.
Davis has been downgraded to OUT (concussion). https://t.co/wAxpdBrukU
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) January 12, 2025
He will be out for the Bills next game
Early reports out of Buffalo indicate that Davis is starting to feel better after leaving Sunday’s wild card round win over the Broncos with a concussion in the third quarter. However, he’s unlikely to be able to play in the divisional game, leaving James Cook in charge of the Bills’ backfield. Davis will return to the glorious playing fields when he beats the NFL’s formidable concussion protocol. For some, this is just a brief exile, a week without a fight. For others, it’s a test worthy of legends.
The perfect example is that of Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, who was forced to leave the field during the final games of his season, trapped in the prison of concussion protocol. Now, with his armor restored, he can resume his place among the champions, but his heroic journey of recovery has kept him on the sidelines for several weeks, like a mythical warrior returning after defeating the beasts of adversity.
Hopefully the rookie can get over this as soon as possible and be available for the Buffalo team that clearly needs him, but his health will be paramount in this process. Ray Davis must go through the NFL’s 5-step concussion protocol:
1.Symptom-limited activity
2.Aerobic exercise
3.Football-specific exercises
4.Club-based non-contact training drills
5.Full football activity
