IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith
suffered a concussion in the third quarter of Thursday's game
against the Minnesota Vikings.
|  | | Emmitt Smith rushed for 100 yards on Thursday before leaving with a concussion. |
Although Smith was motionless on the turf for a few minutes, he
was laughing with trainers as he walked to the locker room. Doctors
sent him home before the game was over and plan to examine him
again Friday.
"It was good to see him moving around," quarterback Troy
Aikman. "He took a big hit. I think he'll be OK."
Running right on a handoff, Smith was slowed by safety Robert
Griffith, then linebacker Ed McDaniel hit him helmet-on-helmet. The
collision spun Smith around, causing him to fumble the ball to the
Vikings and land flat on his back.
Smith eventually sat up, then was helped off the field by
trainers. Smith was clutching his right arm and appeared groggy as
he was led to the locker room.
Heading into the tunnel, he asked one of his helpers if he was
knocked out. When told yes, he started laughing. He was then told
that he also lost the ball.
Minnesota, which led 10-9 at the time, scored a touchdown on the
ensuing drive and broke the game open. The Vikings won 27-15.
"It was a big hit and it also was the turning point of the
game," McDaniel said. "He is a good friend and I hate to see that
happen to a friend."
Smith gained 100 yards on 12 carries, including a 52-yarder that
was his longest since a 63-yard touchdown against the Vikings last
season. He took oxygen on the bench after that run and, at
halftime, received intravenous fluids.
"Emmitt is a warrior, a guy that can play a number of years
still in his career," Dallas coach Dave Campo said. "Hopefully
he'll be around the rest of the season."
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