The Miami Dolphins-Jacksonville Jaguars preseason game ended abruptly with some eight and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter after a frightening injury suffered by wide receiver Daewood Davis.
The Latest on Miami Dolphins WR Daewood Davis
The outcome of an exhibition game was the least of anyone’s concerns after Davis, a rookie out of Western Kentucky, was taken off the field on a cart, his neck, head, and back immobilized.
Dolphins WR Daewood Davis suffered an injury in tonight’s game and has been taken to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for further evaluation. He is conscious and has movement in all extremities.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 27, 2023
The Dolphins announced later that Davis had been transported to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville for further evaluation.
“He is conscious and has movement in all extremities.”
UPDATED (Aug. 27, 10:15 a.m.): The Dolphins announced Sunday morning that Davis has been released from the hospital and will travel home with team personnel.
Davis was the intended target on a pass from James Blackman on the play in which he got hurt. Jaguars cornerback Kaleb Hayes was in coverage, and while making a play on the ball, twisted Davis around and into the path of linebacker Dequan Jackson, who made contact with Davis’ helmet (an illegal and dangerous hit that drew a penalty).
Davis ended the play motionless, facedown on the field.
Teammates immediately knew something was wrong and motioned for medical attention.
Some 10 minutes later, after extensive examination from the team’s medical staff, Davis was strapped to a board and taken off the field.
Mike McDaniel and Doug Pederson discussed whether the game should continue with officials, and upon consulting with each team’s player rep, decided to cancel the game.
“The word back was the best news for our team,” McDaniel said after the game.
“There’s not really a playbook for things of that nature,” he added. “You could see in the collective faces of both teams, their mind wasn’t on playing football. We thought it was inappropriate to play football.”
Later in his news conference, an emotional McDaniel shared that Davis is quite popular among his teammates, calling him “a great spirit.”