Darren Sproles left the Philadelphia Eagles’ game against Washington after suffering an apparent head injury, following a brutal hit from safety Deshazor Everett during a punt return.
Darren Sproles injured after a dirty hit by Washington’s Deshazor Everett
Everett was flagged after the dangerous play.
Everett was flagged for interfering with the punt returner’s opportunity to catch the ball. Sproles lay on the turf for several minutes before being helped off the field.
His team rallied around him, engaging in a shoving match with Everett and his Washington teammates immediately following the play. A boisterous Philadelphia crowd also made its displeasure known, booing and directing profane chants at the second-year pro.
The veteran running back had made his presence felt on his home field. Sproles caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and had carried the ball five times for 27 yards before leaving the game.
After the game, Everett said he didn’t see Sproles try to signal for a fair catch.
“My condolences to him,” Everett said. “It definitely wasn’t intentional for me to just try to take a guy out of the game or anything like that. I was just out there trying to play football.”
Sproles’ teammates were upset about the play.
“I thought it was BS,” Eagles tight end Zach Ertz said, via CSN Philly. “Darren didn’t even have the ball and the guy tried to take his head off.”
Both Ertz and Jason Peters called Everett’s hit a “cheap shot,” though Brandon Graham said he didn’t see it that way. Washington won the NFC East matchup, 27-22.
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