NovaQuant-Browns RB D'Onta Foreman sent to hospital by helicopter after training camp hit

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,NovaQuant W.Va. —Browns running back D'Onta Foreman sustained an injury during Thursday's training camp practice that required him to be immobilized on the field and eventually taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital.

The Browns said Foreman "had movement in all his extremities" when he was taken by helicopter to hospital in Roanoke, Va., at roughly 11:25 a.m. Roanoke is about a 90-minute car ride from The Greenbrier in southeastern West Virginia, which necessitated the helicopter flight.

There was no immediate update on Foreman's condition following the conclusion of practice around 11 a.m. The Browns did say updates would be provided "as more information is received."

"Yeah, it's hard, right?," linebacker Jordan Hicks said following practice. "It's tough. It's part of football. It's probably the worst part of football, but we've got a great medical team and praying and hoping for the best."

Foreman was participating in a punt coverage drill about an hour into Thursday's practice at The Greenbrier when he was injured by, according to the Browns "a direct blow to the head" on a collision. The blow resulted in, according to the Browns, "neck pain."

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The Browns training staff initially spoke to Foreman while he was seated on the ground. However, they helped lay him back down on the ground and signaled for the cart when it became apparent a potential neck injury was involved.

Foreman was immobilized on a backboard before placed on the cart. He was then taken to a nearby ambulance, which then moved to a gravel lot located above the complex in order to await the helicopter.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski and Browns executive vice president J.W. Johnson were nearby observing the training staff as they worked on Foreman. The Browns continued to go through the remainder of punt coverage drills, moving to a different end of the field, before going on with the remaining half-hour of practice.

At the conclusion of practice, the entire team and staff gathered for a moment of prayer and silent meditation.

"He just wanted to say, 'drop to a knee,'" offensive line coach Andy Dickerson said of Stefanski's message at the end of practice. "'Let's get a quick prayer. So just leave it at that. But our training staff took care of everything, so you feel good."

Foreman, 28, was signed by the Browns on April 5 to provide depth at running back due to Nick Chubb and Nyheim Hines recovering from knee injuries. The former third-round pick out of the University of Texas in the 2017 draft by the Houston Texans has played in 52 career games with the Texans, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears, rushing for 2,326 yards and 14 touchdowns on 552 carries.

Chris Easterling can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ