Watch Josh Cribbs take a scary hit on a punt return

By Melissa Rohlin

Sept. 28, 2012 12 AM PT

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;In Baltimore’s 23-16 win over Cleveland on Thursday, &amp;lt;runtime:topic id=”PESPT0012336”&amp;gt;Josh Cribbs&amp;lt;/runtime:topic&amp;gt; took a frightening hit that left him unconscious.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It happened with 5:07 left in the first quarter when he was creamed by Baltimore’s &amp;lt;runtime:topic id=”PESPT0012395”&amp;gt;Dannell Ellerbe&amp;lt;/runtime:topic&amp;gt; on a punt return.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Cribbs’ helmet flew off from the force of the contact and his head slammed onto the ground.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;He remained motionless on the turf, his arms sprawled and his eyes closed for a few tense moments.&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Players from both teams got down on their knees and began praying, including Ellerbe.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;”You ain’t really trying to go out there and try to hurt somebody,” he said. “It’s a part of the game, but you never do it intentionally. I thought he had just fumbled the ball; I didn’t know he went to sleep.”&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;After several minutes, Cribbs regained consciousness and was helped to the sidelines.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It was a scary moment for a player who suffered at least one other concussion two years ago against the &amp;lt;runtime:topic id=”ORSPT000055”&amp;gt;Pittsburgh Steelers&amp;lt;/runtime:topic&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;”He is the soul of our special teams,” kicker &amp;lt;runtime:topic id=”PESPT001720”&amp;gt;Phil Dawson&amp;lt;/runtime:topic&amp;gt; said. ‘When he went down that was a big hole to fill. You can’t replace Josh. He’s so valuable to what we do.”&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;ALSO:&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=”https://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-nfl-officials-20120927,0,1664921.column”&amp;gt;NFL, officials end lockout with eight-year deal&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=”https://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/lat-green-bay-seattle-replacement-hail-mary-20120925,0,694133.photogallery”&amp;gt;Photos: Was it a touchdown or an interception&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=”https://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-dwyre-nfl-officials-20120927,0,7961013.column”&amp;gt;NFL commissioner couldn’t say this was none of his business&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;

Watch Josh Cribbs take a scary hit on a punt return

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