TORONTO — Argonaut defensive back Neiko Thorpe was carted off the field Thursday night after appearing to get his head caught in an awkward position making a tackle against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
There was a lengthy delay with 2:16 remaining in the first quarter when Thorpe was hurt trying to tackle Winnipeg running back Will Ford as the Bombers drove towards the Toronto goal-line. Thorpe’s head appeared to slam off Ford’s leg.
Players watched as trainers worked on Thorpe in the Toronto end zone. The import defensive back was strapped onto a board — his head immobilized — and placed on a stretcher before being carted off in what was hopefully a precautionary move.
Toronto led 10-0 at the time. The Bombers scored several plays later to make it 10-7.
Thorpe was taken to nearby St. Michael’s Hospital for evaluation. Argos coach Scott Milanovich said after the game Thorpe was moving a little and had some tingling in his neck.
Thorpe was the second Argo defender to go down in the CFL game. Middle linebacker Robert McCune was hurt on an earlier pass play.
