Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie collapsed on the sideline and was taken off the sideline on a stretcher with a back injury during Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
He appeared to suffer the injury on a tackle several plays before he collapsed.
Badie took a hit to his back from the helmet of linebacker Quincy Williams and landed face first on the turf. He fumbled on the play, and the Jets recovered for a turnover. Badie walked off the field after the hit before collapsing on the sideline several plays later.
The Broncos’ athletic training staff tended to Badie as he laid on his back, then placed him on a stretcher. He was immobilized and carted off the field.
Per the CBS broadcast, Badie was showing movement on the sideline.
The Broncos later announced that Badie was diagnosed with a back injury. He was officially listed as questionable to return. The specific nature of the injury wasn’t initially clear.
Speaking after the game, Broncos backfield mate Javonte Williams indicated that Denver running backs coach Lou Ayeni said that Badie would be OK.
“Coach Lou told us that he would be all right, so I don’t think it’s really anything (serious),” Williams said, via the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson.
Badie, 24, is a third-year pro after playing in college at Missouri. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Ravens in 2022 and spent most his rookie season on Baltimore’s practice squad. The Broncos signed him off the Baltimore practice squad in 2022, and he has remained with Denver since.
Badie made just one appearance for the Broncos in 2023 before being incorporated into the offense this season. He entered Sunday’s game having rushed 10 times for 86 yards. He tallied 70 yards on nine carries in Denver’s Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.