Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo suffered concussion in SNF loss - ESPN

HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is in the NFL's concussion protocol after taking several hits in Sunday night's 23-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, putting his availability for this week's game at the Los Angeles Chargers in question.

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said Monday he was not sure when Garoppolo suffered the concussion and had yet to talk to the quarterback. And while Garoppolo never left the game because of a head injury, he did take a hit to the helmet from Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick that ended with Garoppolo's head bouncing off the grass with less than seven minutes to play.

Garoppolo, though, threw a touchdown pass to Davante Adams two snaps later and then converted a 2-point conversion pass and never left the game or was examined for a concussion during it.

«I'm not even sure what hit or if it was just an accumulation of [hits], I have no idea,» McDaniels said. «There was never a conversation about that, so I'm not sure, exactly, and I haven't seen him yet this morning, so I'm not exactly sure when it took place, or if it was just a culmination of things.»

Garoppolo took several hits and was sacked four times as he completed 28 of 44 pass attempts for 324 yards and two TDs with three interceptions. He leads the NFL with six INTs.

Garoppolo was scheduled to speak at the podium following the game before it was announced he would not attend, as he was being evaluated for a concussion after he had been in the locker room.

If Garoppolo, who was signed to a three-year, $72.75 million free agent contract this offseason by Las Vegas to replace nine-year starter Derek Carr, cannot play at the Chargers, the Raiders will have to start either 15th-year veteran Brian Hoyer or