Hayden Hurst returns to game after taking helmet to the thigh

Hayden Hurst walked off the field in the third quarter of the Vikings game after taking a helmet to the thigh. His return is unknown.

On their first drive of the third quarter, Hurst came across the middle to snatch a Matt Ryan pass for a first down. Hurst had time to catch, turn, get in a step, and a Vikings defender came across and made contact with the front of his right thigh.

Hurst was in clear discomfort and laid on the astroturf for an extended period of time. After the commercial break, Hayden was walking under his own power on the sideline.

The former Ravens tight end came in with some high expectations, but he has suffered from the same inconsistency the entire offense has struggled with. He has plenty of athletic, speedy catches but has not yet had a “breakout” game.

Hurst is sitting at only 170 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 catches through the season, and has not been close to a focal point of the offense like we saw from Austin Hooper.

Stay tuned for updates about Hurst.

Update: There was never anything official on Hurst, who returned int he 4th quarter and caught a pass.