Bills' Jones not concussed after helmetless hit

"No concussion, he's bruised, cut up a bit there," Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday, adding that Jones needed stitches.

Buffalo Bills running back Taiwan Jones avoided a concussion after a brutal hit during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers in which his bare head was struck by an opponent's helmet.

"No concussion, he's bruised, cut up a bit there," Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters Monday, adding that Jones needed stitches.

Jones was hurt after he scooped up a loose ball in his own end zone following a muffed punt by teammate Marcus Murphy. Jones was hit once, causing his helmet to come off, then was struck again, this time by Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu in a helmet-to-head blow.

Jones went down in the end zone and was treated by trainers. He then walked off the field with the training staff, and the front of his white headband was clearly bloodied.

The play was called a touchback. Officials did not appear to whistle the play dead after Jones' helmet came off, but Nwosu was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness.

"You don't wish a hit like that on anybody," Nwosu said after the game. "You try to play as safe as possible. But it's football, and we all signed up to play this game, so you have to face things that come with it.

Nwosu also apologized in a statement to NFL Network on Monday, saying, "I want to take another opportunity to apologize to Taiwan Jones for yesterday's hit. The game is rough but my intention is never to hurt anyone. The ref hadn't blown the whistle to call the play dead and I didn't realize that his helmet had come off. My apologies man."

Jones, 30, is in his eighth NFL season and second with the Bills. He has primarily played special teams in his career, logging a total of 44 carries for 183 yards in 76 games (no starts).