Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion ruled out after helmet-to-helmet hit by Jets' Fitzpatrick
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion is out with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit from the Jets' Minkah Fitzpatrick
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion is out with a head injury after a helmet-to-helmet hit from the Jets' Minkah Fitzpatrick. This happened late in the first quarter against New York. Concepcion appeared to make a catch when Fitzpatrick hit him in the helmet, causing the ball to drop. Concepcion went face down on the turf and appeared unconscious. After a few minutes, he sat up and walked to the locker room. The Browns ruled him out for the game shortly after. Fitzpatrick was penalized for the hit on a defenseless receiver. Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq was ruled out in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion lies on the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion loses his helmet as he is tackled by New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kc Concepcion (1) is helped off the field after getting injured during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion was ruled out with a head injury late in the first quarter against the New York Jets on Sunday after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Browns were driving on their second possession and facing first-and-10 from the Jets 25 when Deshaun Watson threw a deep pass to Concepcion, who appeared to make a catch — just as Fitzpatrick put a crushing hit on the receiver, making contact with his helmet and causing the ball to drop out of his hands.
Concepcion immediately went face down on the turf and appeared to be unconscious, not moving as the Browns' training staff rushed out to attend to him.
Several Browns teammates and Jets defensive players — including Fitzpatrick — stood near Concepcion as he was being looked at on the field.
After a few minutes, Concepcion was turned over and he eventually sat up, stood and walked under his own power to the locker room. The Browns ruled him out for the game a few minutes later.
Fitzpatrick was penalized for a hit on a defenseless receiver, the second call on the veteran safety on the drive. He drew a face-mask penalty a few plays earlier while dragging Concepcion out of bounds and pulling off his helmet and sending it flying in the process.
Concepcion was a first-round draft pick, 24th overall, out of Texas A&M in April. He had a 5-yard catch before the injury. Concepcion has 18 receptions for 149 yards in five games.
Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq was ruled out early in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
The first-round pick caught a 6-yard pass from Geno Smith in the third quarter when Quincy Williams slammed into him and forced a fumble that Ronnie Hickman recovered at the Cleveland 7. Sadiq stayed down for a moment before getting up and heading to the sideline to be evaluated for a head injury.
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