Patriots: Damiere Byrd knocked out by scary hit vs Jets
By Adam Weinrib
Patriots WR Damiere Byrd got crushed by the New York Jets.
All the Patriots wanted out of their season finale against a Jets team that was sure to charge hard, already locked into the second overall pick, was to escape unscathed and maybe get a late look at Jarrett Stidham after Cam Newton’s pregame goodbye.
Of course, this is a rivalry game. And the Jets have heard all your jokes, and chose to hit New England back.
Patriots WR Damiere Byrd found himself sprinting around the left side on an end-around early in the second half, but before he could get to the first down marker, was sandwiched between two Jets defenders. The hit left him predictably shaken.
Absolutely brutal, in what has otherwise been an exhibition with very few long-term implications.
Byrd appeared to be knocked cold for a while, but ultimately sat up and walked off the field with Bill Belichick and the team’s medical staff.
The absolute last scenario you even want to consider in a Week 17 matchup for pride alone.
Bill Belichick walking on the field to check on Damiere Byrd, who now is sitting upright with the medical staff on the field. Scary collision there.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 3, 2021
Byrd, who often served as Newton’s premiere deep threat during a confusing 2020 season (the two overlapped in Carolina), brought nearly 600 receiving yards into this regular season finale, often serving as one of the rare bright spots in an offense devoid of weapons (after all, Jakobi Meyers has racked up just about as many passing touchdowns at home as the QB1).
Perhaps next season, New England will continue to get creative with Byrd like they attempted to on this ill-fated play.
We’re wishing the best for someone who certainly established himself among the weapons that might be viable long-term, even with a different QB under center next year. With Julian Edelman’s future uncertain, have the Patriots seen enough to consider a return for a potential slot solution in 2021?
