REPORT;Due to a concussion, Courtland Sutton was ruled out of the Denver Broncos game.

Star wide receiver Courtland Sutton of Denver was forced out of the Broncos game early in the second half due to a concussion in the second quarter.

After being examined in the injury tent, the wide receiver was brought to the locker room for additional assessment. The Broncos initially stated that the player had a concussion, then later clarified that it was a head injury.

The wide receiver was escorted to the locker room for extra evaluation following his examination in the injury tent. The player suffered a head injury, as the Broncos later explained after first saying that the player had suffered a concussion.

SPORTS: Colorado loses on Christmas Eve against the New England Patriots.
UPDATED BY CBS/AP AT 9:59 PM MST ON DECEMBER 24, 2023

Throughout a large portion of their Sunday Night Football game, the Denver Broncos struggled against the New England Patriots defense and ultimately lost a significant opportunity to raise their postseason prospects. They played at Mile High’s Empower Field and tied the game late, but ultimately lost 26–23.

Denver Broncos against New England Patriots
On Sunday at Empower Field At Mile High, New England Patriots running back Kevin Harris carries the ball while Denver Broncos defender Alex Singleton defends.
/ GLORIOUS PHOTOS
Denver presently has a 7-8 record with two games remaining in the regular season.

The Broncos tied 23-7 after trailing 23-7.

With 1:42 left, the Broncos had a chance to seal the victory when they gained the ball at their 39, but they went three and out, handing the ball back to New England with less than a minute left. The Patriots went on a seven-play, 44-yard drive, and with two seconds remaining, Chad Ryland made a career-long 56-yard field goal.

Ezekiel Elliott scored a 15-yard touchdown pass from Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe to give New England its first lead, but Ryland’s failed PAT put the Patriots ahead 9–7.

After escaping pressure, Zappe hit Mike Gesicki for an 11-yard touchdown pass, making the score 16–7. Marvin Mims Jr. mishandled the kickoff that followed at the 5-yard line. At the one, Cody Davis picked it up and rolled over the goal line.

With wide receiver Courtland Sutton out with a concussion in the first half, the Broncos’ already lackluster offense suffered a major setback. Denver’s only offensive highlight through three quarters came from Williams’ 3-yard touchdown run to start the game.

The Broncos hold very faint hopes of becoming just the fourth team since the merger to make the playoffs after losing five of their first six games, but they’ll need plenty of help to get there now.

The Broncos have recovered from a 1-5 start and are now in postseason contention thanks to Denver’s defense, but Payton’s offense hasn’t done its share, a point that was never more evident than in the first few minutes of the game.

D.J. Jones strip-sacked Zappe on the opening play of the game and recovered the loose ball himself at the New England 5-yard line.

But the Broncos were left empty-handed as Williams ran three times right into the fangs of the finest run defense in the league, including a fourth-and-goal from the 2 where he was stopped by Christian Barmore a yard short of the goal line.

After a 52-yard punt return by Mims, the Broncos started their second drive at the Patriots 46 but were forced to go three and out. They then started their third drive at the New England 25.

They eventually took advantage of their favorable field position this time, as Williams scored a run to give them a 7-0 lead.

Zappe completed 25 of 33 for two touchdowns and 25 yards. Wilson finished 25 of 37 with 238 yards and two touchdowns.