UPDATE: Almost immediately after that Browns drive ended in a field goal, the team announced that KC Concepcion will not return with a head injury. One would immediately speculate, if one were so inclined to speculate, that he’s in the concussion protocol.
Browns standout rookie WR KC Concepcion has been helped off the field and is in the blue medical tent after taking a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit from Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was flagged on the play.
Concepcion entered Week 5 with 17 catches for 144 yards, and Cleveland had just begun getting bigger gains from him. Against Pittsburgh last Thursday, he caught five passes for a season-high 64 yards, including completions of 21 and 25 yards that helped the Browns rally for a 27-24 victory. After gaining just nine receiving yards the previous week, Concepcion gave Deshaun Watson another receiver who could move the offense beyond short completions.
Cleveland selected Concepcion 24th overall in April, making him a substantial part of their investment in a younger receiving corps. If he cannot return, Watson would likely lean more heavily on fellow rookie Denzel Boston and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.; Boston led Cleveland with 89 receiving yards against Pittsburgh and entered Sunday with a team-high 284.
