MONTREAL — Eric Samuels’ scary exit from Friday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes seems to have avoided any further dark turns.
The Edmonton Eskimos linebacker collided with players on special teams late in the Eskimos’ win over the Als. His teammate, Calvin McCarty, landed on him as they hit the ground and Samuels was taken out of the game on a stretcher, with a spine board under him. The Eskimos announced on Saturday morning that their second-year player is OK.
“(Samuels) was taken to a Montreal hospital for precautionary tests, later released and travelled to Ottawa with the team,” the club’s statement said. “Eskimo medical staff will continue to monitor him.”
Samuels took to Twitter early Saturday morning to let fans know he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Thank you for the prayers everyone! I am okay. #thankful #blessed—
Eric Samuels (@E_Shy22) August 09, 2014
That opened the doors for his teammates to poke fun at him an to talk about a pair of interceptions he almost had in the game.
@E_Shy22 Just tryna get some tv time I know how yall vandy guys do it haha. Glad your alright tho—
Rennie Flomo Curran (@RennieCurran53) August 09, 2014
“@E_Shy22: Thank you for the prayers everyone! I am okay. #thankful #blessed” You alright now, I can talk junk… Catch the ball man! Lol—
Joe Burnett (@Joe_Burnett19) August 09, 2014
For now, Samuels is wearing a neck brace.
@E_Shy22 sporting a trendy new hat #necksercise #1hourofbracefreedom http://t.co/MsNSBeTelZ—
Hugh O'Neill (@huuugh18) August 09, 2014
The Eskimos didn’t have injury updates on RB John White, who was wearing a steel splint on one of his fingers after Friday’s game, or Noel Devine, who left the game with a leg injury. The team is off Saturday and Sunday and will practice this week in Gatineau, Que. ahead of Friday’s game against Ottawa.
