Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Kevin ‘KC’ Concepcion Jr. exited Sunday’s game against the New York Jets after absorbing a violent helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The medical staff immediately evaluated the receiver and ruled him out for the remainder of the contest due to a head injury.
Fitzpatrick drew a personal foul penalty for unnecessary roughness on a defenseless receiver, though game officials decided against ejecting him from the contest. Concepcion remained motionless on the turf for several moments before standing up and walking to the locker room under his own power alongside team trainers.
Minkah Fitzpatrick hit on KC Concepcion stops drive at MetLife Stadium
The sequence occurred during a wet afternoon matchup as quarterback Deshaun Watson attempted to find Concepcion open downfield. Fitzpatrick closed in from the secondary and led with his helmet directly into the rookie receiver. The collision followed an earlier personal foul on the exact same drive, during which Fitzpatrick ripped Concepcion’s helmet off by grabbing his facemask. Despite the setback, Cleveland finished the offensive drive with a field goal by kicker Andre Szmyt, cutting the New York Jets lead to 7 to 3.
Cleveland entered the Week 5 matchup on October 11, 2026, holding first place in the AFC North with a 3-1 record, while New York entered the afternoon trying to halt a three-game losing streak. Fitzpatrick’s physical play drew immediate scrutiny from the Cleveland sideline, particularly given his past history against the franchise. While playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, the veteran safety was involved in the low tackle that resulted in a severe knee injury to then-Browns running back Nick Chubb.
KC Concepcion rookie campaign numbers and collegiate milestones
Concepcion arrived in the NFL
as an immediate contributor for the Browns after the franchise selected him with the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Before entering the professional ranks, he played college football for NC State and Texas A&M, earning national recognition after winning the Paul Hornung Award in 2025 as the most versatile player in the collegiate game.Follow: Deshaun Watson’s 2026 season starts with an interception, fueling ongoing fan and analyst debate
- Draft position: 24th overall selection in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
- Collegiate honors: Winner of the Paul Hornung Award during the 2025 season
- College programs: NC State Wolfpack and Texas A&M Aggies
- Season receiving statistics: 17 receptions and 144 receiving yards through four games
- Personal fouls on drive: 2 penalties committed by Minkah Fitzpatrick against Concepcion
- Score after scoring drive: 7 to 3 in favor of the New York Jets
Through the first four games of the regular season, Concepcion had secured 17 catches for 144 receiving yards as a primary target for Watson. On the defensive side, Fitzpatrick entered his first campaign with the Jets with 16 tackles and one interception before committing the two personal foul penalties against Concepcion on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland Browns await medical evaluation on KC Concepcion
The Cleveland Browns have not yet released a formal clinical diagnosis regarding Concepcion’s head injury, and the organization has not confirmed whether the rookie sustained a concussion or how much time he might miss during the upcoming weeks of the regular season.