TRAUMATIC EVENT: Cowboys’ star player leaves the hospital after a severe neck injury

TRAUMATIC EVENT: Cowboys’ star player leaves the hospital after a severe neck injury

Tyrone Crawford (98), a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, is taken off the field during the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, December 23, 2018, against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, due to an unidentified injury. (Image by Michael Ainsworth/AP)

Following Tyrone Crawford, a Cowboys defensive lineman, sustaining a frightening injury during Sunday’s NFC East-clinching 27-20 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first reports were positive.

Crawford suffered a neck injury on the game’s second play. Before being brought off the pitch, the seventh-year player was moving his arms and legs as his facemask was taken off and his neck was stabilised on a stretcher.

Crawford was brought to a hospital, and the Cowboys said after the game that he was discharged and will undergo another evaluation by the team’s medical personnel on Monday.

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During the Patriots’ AFC East-clinching win against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter, wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson of New England exited with a knee injury. Deep danger Josh Gordon’s prolonged suspension meant that Patterson would likely be a major part of the offensive.

Linebacker Julian Stanford of the Bills (5-10) departed the game due to an ankle injury, while wide receiver Deonte Thompson left with a toe injury.

The greatest in the NFL After defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New Orleans Saints secured the NFC’s top seed; however, they lost one of Drew Brees’s guards when left tackle Terron Armstead sustained an injury in the first half and exited permanently in the second. Armstead was spotted gripping his chest. Earlier this season, Armstead tore a pectoral muscle.

In the second half, Steelers linebacker Vince Williams departed, severely hurting the team’s chances of making the playoffs.

On Philadelphia’s first drive in their thrilling 32-30 victory against the Houston Texans, left tackle Jason Peters of the Philadelphia Eagles hurt his quadriceps. With Pittsburgh’s defeat, AFC South leader Houston went on to secure a postseason spot; yet, the Eagles may still qualify for the postseason the following week.

A right leg injury forced Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to leave the field in the fourth quarter. Houston also lost three cornerbacks to injury: Kareem Jackson (knee), Kayvon Webster (thigh) and Johnathan Joseph (neck).

Despite suffering first-half injuries that forced centre Ryan Kelly (neck) and Pro Bowl tight end Eric Ebron (concussion) to leave the game, the Indianapolis Colts rallied to defeat the New York Giants, maintaining their chances of making the playoffs and winning the AFC South. Colts cornerbacks Kenny Moore III and Quincy Wilson left the game on consecutive plays in the third quarter due to unspecified ailments.

Giants tight end Rhett Ellison had a concussion, while defensive end Mario Edwards departed the game due to a calf injury.

Two cornerbacks were injured for the Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Scherels (foot) and Xavier Rhodes (groyne). With a victory against the Lions, the Vikings secured a postseason berth, even though fullback C.J. Ham suffered an elbow injury.

J.R. Sweezy had an ankle injury in the second quarter of Seattle’s 38-31 victory against Kansas City, and he did not play again for the Seahawks due to injuries to their offensive line. Darrel Williams, the running back for the Chiefs, had a hamstring injury in the first half and did not play again.

For Detroit, cornerback DeShawn Shead and defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson both had knee injuries, while tight end Luke Willson sustained a concussion.

During the first quarter of Green Bay’s overtime victory against the Jets, left guard Lane Taylor of the Packers suffered a knee injury. Jaire Alexander, a cornerback for the Packers, also went down with a groyne injury.

Ziggy Hood, a backup defensive lineman for the Dolphins, strained his hamstring during a Miami defeat to the Jaguars that eliminated the team from the playoffs. Josh Wells, a lineman for Jacksonville, departed the game in the second quarter due to a concussion.

Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict exited late in the first half with a concussion in Cincinnati’s defeat to the Cleveland Browns. Dre Kirkpatrick, a starting cornerback, suffered a right shoulder injury.

Denzel Ward, a rookie cornerback in the Pro Bowl, left the Browns due to what seemed to be a shoulder ailment.

With Atlanta leading Carolina by two scores, running back Tevin Coleman of the Falcons departed the game in the second half due to a groyne injury and did not return. Guard Trai Turner of the Panthers, a Pro Bowler, exited the game due to an ankle injury, ending Carolina’s faint hopes of making the playoffs.

Four players from the San Francisco 49ers were forced to depart their team’s game against the NFC North champion Chicago Bears due to injuries: tight end Garrett Celek (concussion), wide out Dante Pettis (left knee), and cornerback K’Waun Williams (knee).