Packers RB Jamaal Williams out after hit to head

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay running back Jamaal Williams has been taken off the field on a stretcher, after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Philadelphia defensive end Derek Barnett on the first offensive play of the game for the Packers.

Williams caught a short pass from Aaron Rodgers before being stood up by a swarm of Eagles defenders on Thursday night, and Barnett barreled in at the end. After his helmet banged against Williams’ helmet, Barnett was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Williams lay motionless on the field for several minutes while being tended to by a host of medical personnel. He raised his arm to flash the thumbs-up signal as he was being rolled away, and Barnett was the first player to approach him with a pat of encouragement.

The Packers went on to score on a short touchdown run by Aaron Jones, who was the only healthy tailback left after Williams’ departure.

Williams had feeling and movement in all of his extremities, the Packers announced, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the game while being evaluated for head and neck injuries.