Cleveland Browns safety Jordan Poyer is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a lacerated kidney after an absolutely brutal and illegal blindside block during last Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Poyer was on the punt defense team when Cleveland punted away to Titans’ returner Marc Mariani. Mariani cut towards the sideline and had taken an angle where Poyer couldn’t tackle Mariani, and began to slow up, when Titans’ Running Back Antonio Andrews laid down an absolutely crushing block.
Browns safety Jordan Poyer got blown up on this punt return. Hope the guy is OK. pic.twitter.com/pVX6KfgMvg
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 17, 2016
Poyer writhed in pain after the hit, but was able to walk off the field. Shortly after, he was taken to a Nashville-area hospital with an “abdominal injury” that turned out to be a lacerated kidney. He was also evaluated for a concussion, as there was helmet-to-helmet contact and Poyer’s neck whip-lashed violently.
Andrews was called for a 15 yard blindside block penalty, and potentially faces a near-$25,000 fine, standard for first time blindside block offenses.
Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson stated after the game that he did not think the hit was dirty:
“It’s football. I don’t think the guy was trying to hurt him. I think he was trying to block him, and sometimes you aim in spots and hit some other things. Obviously, you know …it’s football. He took a tough shot.”
Poyer remained in Nashville Sunday night in stable condition while the team traveled back to Cleveland. As of Monday afternoon, he remains under observation at Nashville’s Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital, according to Jackson, who also reported he had not been informed as to whether or not Poyer is suffering from a concussion.
Coach Jackson is not ruling out Poyer’s return, but most times an injury to an internal organ is season-ending, full stop.
Poyer’s injury adds to the team’s woes as they deal with multiple injuries, including at the Quarterback position. The injury situation is likely the biggest factor contributing to the Browns’ 0-6 record.
We here at Talking Baws wish Poyer the best and hope he has a speedy and successful recovery.
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