Ray Davis injury: Updates for Bills RB after suffering concussion vs. Broncos

Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis needed immediate medical attention when he took a hit to the head in Sunday's wild-card game.

Davis was running a wheel route to the right side on a second-and-13 play when quarterback Josh Allen's pass sailed past the running back's outstretched arms. The rookie was left in a vulnerable position during the play, and Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones made hard contact with Davis's helmet after lowering his shoulder as the pass fell incomplete.

Referees flagged Jones for a 15-yard, unnecessary roughness penalty for his hit to the helmet of a defenseless receiver.

The rookie running back was able to walk off the field and back to the locker room after an initial evaluation on the field.

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What happened to Ray Davis?

Davis took a hit to the head from a Broncos safety during the third quarter of the Bills' wild-card game.

The rookie running back was running a wheel route to the right side, and Allen's pass in his direction was overthrown. Davis extended his arms as he stumbled forward to try to catch up with the ball, but he ran into Jones' shoulder helmet-first.

Jones, who looked apologetic after the play, was flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty for his hit on a defenseless receiver. The Bills picked up 15 yards on the penalty.

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Trainers initially brought out a backboard for Davis during their initial medical evaluation on the field, but the rookie was able to walk off of the field and back to the locker room under his own power.

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Ray Davis injury updates

The Bills declared Davis out of the game with a concussion a few minutes after he suffered the injury.

Davis will have to clear the NFL's concussion protocol before he returns to action for Buffalo this postseason.

How long is Ray Davis out?

Davis can return to the field once he clears the NFL's concussion protocol. For some players, that means an absence of only one week. For others, clearing the protocol took a bit longer.

Most recently, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had to miss his team's final two games of the regular season as he remained in the concussion protocol. He has since been cleared to play, but his slow progress resulted in a multi-week absence.

When Davis returns will be determined by how long it takes him to work through the league's guidelines for recovery from a concussion.

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NFL concussion protocol

The NFL's concussion protocol is a five-step process that each player diagnosed with a concussion must clear before he can return to gameday action.

Here are the five steps, per the NFL:

1. Symptom limited activity

2. Aerobic exercise

3. Football specific exercise

4. Club-based non-contact training drills

5. Full football activity/clearance

This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ray Davis injury update: Bills RB out vs. Broncos with a concussion