A helmet-to-helmet blindside hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis sent Packers wide receiver Davante Adams out of the game Sunday and into the NFL concussion protocol, a hit that Davis has now been suspended for, according to ESPN.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Twitter that Thomas would serve a suspension of two games, though he will appeal:
Panthers’ LB Thomas Davis is being suspended two games, per sources. He will appeal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 18, 2017
Adams responded on Twitter to after the hit happened during the third quarter of the Packers' game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte Sunday.
I’ll never understand it. Game is already dangerous enough and we got Pro Bowl players out here head hunting and saying they “didn’t mean to harm me”
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Somebody please explain to me what I wasnt trying to hurt him means when we nowhere near the play and u lead with ya head and ear hole a defenseless player....
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) December 18, 2017
Adams used more vulgar languages in the first and second subsequent tweets afterward. WARNING: Graphic language
The Carolina linebacker has since offered an apology on Twitter, saying he understands Adams' frustration, but wasn't trying to harm him:
I understand your frustration and I do apologize for the hit! In no way was I trying to hurt you. My first instinct was turn and make a block. In all sincerity I do apologize. I truly respect you as a player and I made a mistake!
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) December 18, 2017
Aaron Rodgers had just thrown an interception, and Adams was in pursuit of the ballcarrier when, from an angle where Adams could not see him, Davis struck him with the crown of his helmet.
Here’s a look at the hit Thomas Davis laid on Davante Adams. He’s up and moving. #Packers pic.twitter.com/BQLf3y1x0q
— Mike Cianciolo (@MikeCianciolo) December 17, 2017
Adams walked off on his own power.
It's the second-such hit Adams has taken this year. He was hospitalized after a similar hit by the Bears' Danny Trevathan in a game in September.
