Baltimore Ravens: TE Todd Heap Collapses During Overtime Win Vs Bills

Merely a week after Ravens TE Todd Heap suffered from three helmet-to-helmet hits in New England (two by Patriots Brandon Meriweather, one by Pat Chung), Heap was back on the field in Baltimore to face the winless Buffalo Bills.

Heap was listed as “Questionable” all week on the team’s official injury report with a neck injury.  Reports out of Baltimore were vague as to the extent of the injury, while coaches and training staff came to the quick conclusion Heap was suffering from a simple neck strain.

The 10-year veteran out of Arizona State was a major factor in Baltimore’s win over Buffalo on Sunday, notching two touchdowns and 59 yards in receiving.

It was during the third quarter, after a 34-yard touchdown pass from QB Joe Flacco to WR Anquan Boldin, which Heap would collapse to the ground, remaining untouched the entire time.

Baltimore’s training staff immediately tended to Heap on the sideline after the incident, performing a litany of neurological tests as a precaution.  Initial tests revealed a right shoulder stinger, but Heap would return to the game a few series later, despite complaining of a severely sore neck.

Heap underwent an MRI a week earlier after the three helmet-to-helmet collisions in New England.  All results from the MRI came back negative, and Heap would participate in limited practice shortly thereafter.

After witnessing Heap’s on-field collapse Sunday, one must wonder if something more sinister than a strained neck has gone undiagnosed.  It’s not normal to lose all control of your body and collapse to the ground, especially when any kind of bodily trauma was absent before the collapse.

More medical tests will likely be ordered after Sunday’s scare.  As for Heap, the Ravens’ bye week can’t come fast enough for his ailing neck.

Barring any serious medical discoveries, Heap should be ready to go in two weeks, when the Ravens take on the 3-3 Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium.

Todd McGregor is a Featured Columnist here on BleacherReport.com

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