Willis McGahee Injury Report: Ravens vs. Steelers Produces Scary Moment

Well, needless to say I’m very disappointed this morning. My Ravens lost to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.

All of that really takes a back seat, however, to the injury sustained by Ravens running back Willis McGahee, who had to leave the field on a stretcher in the fourth quarter of last night’s game.

Willis McGahee Injury Report

Baltimore running back Willis McGahee suffered a neck injury late in the fourth quarter of a 23-14 loss at Pittsburgh. Leveled by Steelers safety Ryan Clark after catching a pass, McGahee was carted off the field and taken to a local hospital.

Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne said McGahee had movement in his arms and legs and was “neurologically intact.” McGahee, who complained of neck pain after Clark’s hit, will be kept in Pittsburgh overnight for observation. Ravens team physician Dr. Leann Curl is staying in Pittsburgh to monitor McGahee’s condition, Byrne said.

McGahee was hurt with 3:29 remaining. Immediately upon turning up-field following a reception, McGahee was floored by a non-penalized blow to his head and shoulder area by Clark. The impact also temporarily stunned Clark, who needed assistance leaving the field.

McGahee received roughly 10 minutes of on-field medical attention before being strapped to a stretcher and lifted onto a cart.

Helmet to Helmet Rule: NFL

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There is much debate over whether Clark should have been flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit. Clark seemed to have let with his shoulder thus making the hit a “clean” one.

Here is the NFL helmet-to-helmet rule:

“Using any part of a player’s helmet (including the top/crown and forehead/hairline parts) or facemask to butt, spear, or ram an opponent violently or unnecessarily; although such violent or unnecessary use of the helmet is impermissible against any opponent, game officials will give special attention in administering this rule to protect those players who are in virtually defenseless postures.”

Clark seemed to be making a legit tackle against a hard-charging runner and led with his shoulder, even though there was helmet-to-helmet contact. Check out the lively debate on this on Pro Football Talk.

In any case, the Ravens lost. The familiar “Here We Go Steelers” chant could be heard through Heinz Field as the game concluded. We really didn’t expect the Ravens to even make it this far with (albeit sensational) rookie quarterback Joe Flacco at the helm and rookie head coach John Harbaugh calling the shots so, all in all, this season was a huge success.