The Cleveland Browns escaped Sunday with a win over the hapless Oakland Raiders, but they lost one of their important offensive pieces along the way.
Tight end Jordan Cameron suffered a concussion, his third in less than two years, leaving his status for the rest of the season uncertain, according to a report from Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
During the second quarter, Cameron made a 21-yard catch and was immediately leveled by Raiders' safety Brandian Ross, who illegally led with his helmet and hit Cameron in the head and neck area, according to ESPN. Cameron left the game, underwent concussion protocol testing on the sidelines and did not return.
It was Cameron's third concussion since December of 2012.
"He sat out the New York Jets game in week 15 last season after suffering a concussion late in the Bears game the week before, and missed the final two games of the 2012 season with a concussion," Cabot wrote. "In the case of last year's brain injury, he didn't realize he had suffered it until the morning after, meaning he may have inadvertently continued playing with it."
Ross, who was fined for a late hit last season, can reportedly expect a fine for the Cameron hit of at least $22,050.
"As a quarterback you always feel bad, especially on a play like that,'' said Browns' quarterback Brian Hoyer. "I know it was an illegal hit. He made a great play and to lose him for the game hurts. It's something we've dealt with all year long, next man up and our guys did a good job whether it was Jim Dray making a big play to get us to the goal line or whatever it is."
Cameron, the Browns and the league will, no doubt, take this concussion very seriously as continued research shows that multiple blows to the head may lead to long-term brain damage.
"The league, as they should be, is very deliberate with the (concussion) protocol,'' said Browns' coach Mike Pettine. "You just take each day and see where he is symptom-wise. I haven't gotten the full medical report yet today. I'll probably know a little bit more later this afternoon."
Cameron had three catches for 40 yards prior to the injury. He has 13 catches for 250 yards and a touchdown on the season.
In his possible continued absence, Pettine says Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge will see the bulk of Cameron's snaps.
