Denver Broncos Quarterback Wilson Exits With Head Injury

The Denver Broncos giveth, and the Denver Broncos taketh away. After a thrilling three quarters of closely contested play, quarterback Russell Wilson exited in the fourth quarter of the Broncos' 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with concussion symptoms and did not return.

Injury update: QB Russell Wilson has been ruled OUT with a concussion. https://t.co/vRMa0618KK
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 12, 2022

The Broncos ended the game with a season-high 28 points, but backup quarterback Brett Rypien couldn't seal the deal. He threw an interception on the team's final drive, sealing the victory for the Chiefs.

The Broncos overperformed to stay competitive with the Chiefs today, but the score oversells the success of the Broncos offense. Wilson threw a pick-six and absorbed six sacks, netting 198 yards on 42 attempts for a middling 4.71 net yards per attempt despite a 66-yard screen pass to running back Marlon Mack. If not for the Broncos defense forcing three turnovers, today's game could have been a typically brutal day for Wilson and the offense.

Not that the Broncos would have taken much solace in today's effort, anyway. At 3-10, they're officially eliminated from playoff contention. Most teams could comfort themselves following a lost season with the prospects of a plum draft position, but the Broncos gave away this year's first-round and second-round picks to the Seattle Seahawks as part of their trade package for Wilson. Better luck next year, Broncos fans.