Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst is speaking out about a serious head injury he suffered playing in a game last month.
The day after his dad confirmed on X that Hurst has post-traumatic amnesia related to a hit during the Panthers-Chicago Bears game on Nov. 9, the linebacker offered more details about the injury that kept him out for nearly a month and thanked his fans for their support.
“I appreciate everything they’ve reached out to and checked on me,” Hurst, 30, wrote on X Thursday. “I had a pretty bad concussion against the Bears a few weeks ago and I don’t remember until 4 hours after the game. A scary situation, but the Panthers have been incredible in guiding me through this process.”
He continued in another post: “Although it was scary, it is NOT career-ending. I’m starting my return to gaming this week, so fingers crossed I’ll be back for the last few weeks! God bless and keep hitting!!!!”
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Hurst returned to the game after suffering the injury, according to The Athletic, but the next day, the Panthers placed him in the concussion protocol.
On Wednesday, Hurst was declared “limited” for his first practice, but it is not known when he will return to action. He has been sidelined for the last three games and hopes to return for either the Panthers’ home game against the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 17 or their game a week later against the Green Bay Packers.
Panthers interim coach Chris Tabor said at a news conference Wednesday that Hurst is “improving.”
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According to Yale Medicine, posttraumatic amnesia “is a temporary state of confusion and memory loss that occurs after a traumatic brain injury. During this period, the individual may have difficulty forming new memories, recalling past events, or understanding the environment.”
The NFL star is in his first season in Carolina, after playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens.
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens selected South Carolina 25th overall.
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This year, he played in nine games and has 18 receptions for 184 yards and one touchdown, writes The Athletic.
On Wednesday, Hayden’s dad, Jerry Hurst, announced the news about the degree of his son’s injury in a post on X.
“@haydenrhurst “He was diagnosed by an independent neurologist with post-traumatic amnesia as a result of the blow he received in Chicago on November 9,” Jerry wrote.
“Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!”
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Source: HIS Education