Report: Panthers to place TE Hayden Hurst on injured reserve

The Panthers will place tight end Hayden Hurst on injured reserve, ending his season. That’s according to a report from The Athletic.

Hurst suffered post traumatic amnesia afer a concussion he sustained Nov. 9 against the Bears. He has remained in concussion protocol since his diagnosis.

New: Panthers expected to place Hayden Hurst on IR, ending the season of a player who's dealt with amnesia issues stemming from his Nov. 9 concussion at Chicago.https://t.co/EOgGxsCOY7

— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 15, 2023

Last week, Hurst offered more information as to what happened in the game against the Bears. He also said he wanted to return to action this season. Obviously, those plans changed.

“I appreciate everyone reaching out & checking on me,” Hurst posted on X. “I suffered a pretty nasty concussion against the Bears a few weeks ago & don’t remember up to 4 hours after the game. Scary situation but the Panthers have been incredible walking me through this process.”

The Panthers tight end wrote in a second post: “While it was scary, it is NOT career ending. I’m starting my return to play this week, so fingers crossed I make it back for the last few weeks! God Bless & Keep Pounding !!!!”

According to the injury reports provided by the Panthers, Hurst practiced last week for the first time since his head injury. However, he was deemed as limited in those workouts. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday this week.

The Ravens selected Hurst, the former South Carolina Gamecock star, in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Baltimore then traded him to Atlanta in 2020. By 2022, he signed with the Bengals. He then switched to the Panthers for this season. Before the injury, he’d caught 18 passes for a 184 yards and a touchdown.

Hurst’s injury happened during the fourth quarter of the Panthers loss to the Bears. He came back in after initially leaving the field. By the next day, Hurst was in concussion protocol.

There probably is no rush for Hurst to try and return this season. After all, the Panthers own the league’s worst record.