Ex Baltimore Ravens TE Hayden Hurst Updates Head Injury Status

Former Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst was forced to miss half the season last year due to issues related to a concussion suffered while playing for the Carolina Panthers.

Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) jogs on the field / Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Former Baltimore Ravens and current Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hayden Hurst was out for the second half of last season after suffering a concussion.

He's reportedly fully recovered now, and says had his team from last season, the Carolina Panthers, made the postseason, he could've played.

Dec 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (81) jogs on the field / Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Hurst was diagnosed with post-traumatic amnesia after suffering a cocussion nine games into the 2023 campaign. At the time it wasn't considered a serious injury that would keep him out for the season.

And as the season wore down, it was thought Hurst could return for a playoff push, but by then the Panthers were out of postseason contention.

“I had the concussion and for a week after it was a little touch-and-go, but I went to the Mayo Clinic down in Jacksonville, got a second opinion, got [a] full clear bill of health,” the 30-year-old said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.

“The only reason I sat out as long as I did was just, from the [Panthers’] front office, there was really no point. They were 2-15, or 2-13 at the time, so there was really no point in rushing back.”

Hurst was supposed to remain under contract with the Panthers for two more seasons, but after the firing of head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer, he was released by the new regime.

That set Hurst up for free agency, where he's in a better position professionally with the Chargers and reunited with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman.