Taysom Hill says there was a 45 minute gap right after the hit that gave him a concussion that he has no memory of.
— Sean FazendeFOX8 (@SeanFazendeFOX8) November 12, 2021
One of the toughest extended absences the New Orleans Saints have had to contend with this season was a weekslong process in which Taysom Hill navigated concussion protocol, having taken a shot to his helmet from Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson III back on Oct. 10. It took 24 days, including the Saints’ bye week, for Hill to recover and return to practice, and Jackson avoided both an ejection and fine for the hit.
Hill took enough punishment for both of them. He told FOX 8 New Orleans’ Sean Fazende that he has experienced a 45-minute gap in his memory following that hit, in which he was helped to his feet and onto a trainer’s cart so he could be evaluated away from the field. Jackson’s hit put Hill out of action through the Saints’ next two games.
After the game Jackson said in his defense that he was “clearly” going for the ball, and the NFL bought that excuse. It’s tough to see how that could be true from how he tucked his arms into his chest and lowered his shoulder pad into Hill’s facemask, but that’s all above my pay grade.
Hopefully Hill is healthy and whole and ready to help his team in their next road game. They’re flying out to face the Tennessee Titans this week without superstar running back Alvin Kamara or All-Pro left tackle Terron Armstead, and they could really use the physical brand of football Hill is known for. We’ll keep fingers crossed that he isn’t subjected to any more borderline-illegal hits.
