NFL players aren’t exempt from brutal injuries just because it is the preseason.
That was the case Thursday night.
Seahawks wide receiver Cade Johnson suffered an injury in their game against the Vikings at Lumen Field in Seattle and was transported to Harborview Medical Center as a precaution for head and neck injuries.
It was not immediately clear how and when Johnson was injured, according to the Seattle Times.
The Seahawks said he is in stable condition.
Johnson, a 25-year-old third-year veteran out of South Dakota State, was injured late in the second quarter and was taken into the medical observation tent behind the Seahawks’ bench.
After a few minutes of Johnson being examined in the tent, Tyler Lockett ducked inside and then stayed with him, then walked alongside the stretcher across the field and to the locker room during halftime, the Seattle Times reported.
Tight end Noah Fant also accompanied the stretcher, and receivers coach Sanjay Lal also headed into the tent to spend time with Johnson as he was examined.
Johnson, who has primarily been a member of the Seahawks’ practice squad, emerged as a key reserve late last season.
He made two catches for 21 yards in three games last season, and he also made some key contributions in the Seahawks’ 41-23 NFC wild-card playoff loss to the 49ers, hauling in three catches for 39 yards.
He recorded one rushing attempt for two yards while taking on kickoff back for 17 yards in Thursday’s preseason game.