Gunner Kiel Injury: Updates on Cincinnati QB's Possible Concussion and Return
Gunner Kiel suffered his second head injury in as many weeks during the Cincinnati Bearcats' Sept. 24 matchup against the Memphis Tigers.
He was ruled out for tonight's contest against the Miami Hurricanes, confirmed Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Continue for updates.
Bearcats Offer Update on Kiel's Status
Friday, Sept. 25
Cincinnati provided an update on Kiel's status, via John Taylor of College Football Talk:
"University of Cincinnati junior quarterback Gunner Kiel traveled back to Cincinnati last night with the team following the game at Memphis. His X-rays were negative. Kiel remains under evaluation by the UC medical staff and his status for the Miami (Fla.) game on Thursday, Oct. 1 is undetermined at this time.
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After the game, the Bearcats announced Kiel is "communicating and moving all four limbs" at the hospital.
On a read-option play, Kiel tucked the ball and ran to his left. As he crossed the first-down line, he slid feetfirst to the turf. As he was on the way down, Memphis cornerback Chauncey Lanier launched his shoulder into Kiel. Troy Machir of Sporting News provided a Vine of the tackle:
Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville said after the game, per Groeschen, that "He had a little numbness in his hands."
According to Groeschen, the referees opted against calling a targeting penalty on Lanier. AAC officiating coordinator Terry McAulay explained the decision, per Jon Solomon of CBS Sports: "Kiel wasn't on ground yet and by rule not a defenseless player."
Kiel remained on the turf for a while before the Bearcats medical staff placed him on a backboard and stabilized his head, per Bleacher Report's Matt Miller.
Sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung said on the ESPN broadcast (via Yahoo Sports' Dr. Saturday) that Kiel was able to move his toes, which is an encouraging sign, given the circumstances.
While the image of Kiel being carted off the field was jarring enough, the concern is heightened because he suffered a head injury last Saturday in Cincinnati's 37-33 win over Miami (Ohio).
Redshirt freshman Hayden Moore replaced Kiel against the Tigers, and will start vs. the Hurricanes.
