Ravens Insider: Ravens vs. Raiders game briefly halted after chain gang member collapses on sideline

[ExtremeRavens]

A member of the chain gang staff collapsed on the Ravens’ sideline and was carted off the field during Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium.

The staff member is alert and responsive, the Ravens announced, and will be taken to a nearby hospital. He collapsed after a play late in the second quarter and was conscious as he received medical attention, according to the CBS broadcast.

The staff member was tended to for several minutes by medical personnel from both teams and placed onto a stretcher and then a medical cart before exiting the field. He lifted a hand as the cart drove into the tunnel to leave the field, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The incident occurred with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter following a challenge by Ravens coach John Harbaugh, prompting players on both teams to take a knee on the field as they looked toward the sideline. Play resumed shortly after the chain gang member left the field. The delay lasted about six minutes.

The chain gang is used to mark the down and distance on the field with a set of bright orange markers 10 yards apart. In July, the Associated Press reported that the NFL is moving closer to replacing the chain gang with new technology to measure line to gain.

This article will be updated.

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