Jets OL Xavier Newman carted off field on backboard, taken to hospital with neck injury

New York Jets offensive lineman Xavier Newman was carted off the field on a backboard and transported to a hospital Sunday after a collision against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Newman remained down on the sideline for several minutes after the collision in the third quarter. Players from both teams surrounded Newman as play stopped for several minutes. He was placed on a backboard by medical staff and taken off the field on a cart by paramedics.

NBC’s Melissa Stark reported that medical staff removed Newman’s facemask as they tended to him on the field and that he was conscious. Stark later reported that Newman had movement in his limbs and was being transported to a Pittsburgh area hospital.

The Jets ruled him out of the game with a neck injury. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters after the game that tests at the hospital came back negative and that Newman would travel back to New York with the team.

The injury took place in the third quarter on an interception thrown by Aaron Rodgers on a pass bobbled by Garrett Wilson. Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. intercepted the ball and returned it 41 yards to the Jets’ 1-yard line.

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen made contact with Newman (No. 65, above) while blocking on the return. Newman went tumbling to the sideline and remained down until he was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Play resumed after Newman was take off the field with the Steelers leading, 16-15. The Steelers eventually won, 37-15.