New York Jets safety Elijah Riley suffered a neck injury that left him motionless on the field. During the third quarter of the Jets' game against the Miami Dolphins, Riley attempted to tackle Dolphins' running back Duke Johnson, collided hard with a teammate and didn't get up after the play. He was ruled out for the game and was carted off.
Riley had his neck held by a member of the Jets' medical staff as he was carted off the field, per Rich Cimini of ESPN. Dolphins players offered their solidarity as the staff brought him off the field. He lifted a hand up as he exited the field.
Jets S Elijah Riley pumped his fist to the crowd as the cart very slowly began to ride into the tunnel. It looked like someone was holding him in place as they rode off, too. Frightening. https://t.co/VDnGAtPOSd
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) December 19, 2021
Elijah Riley raises fist as cart takes him off. pic.twitter.com/ayhIqUVeei
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) December 19, 2021
Riley, a New York native, is in his first year with the Jets after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2020. The 23-year-old product of Army played in four games for New York this season, recording 28 total tackles and a sack.
New York signed Riley due to other injuries to their secondary. Head coach Robert Saleh explained what made him a quality addition:
“Elijah's a very intelligent young man,” head coach Robert Saleh said, adding that he's been a “ball magnet” in practice. “He sees the game very well. He's a student of the game, constantly studying. He's a phenomenal communicator, presnap and postsnap. He's got tremendous eye discipline. And when he triggers, it is like a bat out of hell.”
This is the second scary head injury the NFL has seen in Week 15, as Donald Parham Jr. of the Los Angeles Chargers suffered a serious head injury and was stretchered off the field on Thursday night.
The Jets, at 3-10 entering today's game, wind down their season without the possibility of making the playoffs.