Stephen Louis in concussion protocol after taking helmet-to-helmet hit against Georgia State

Stephen Louis’ luck here at the start of the season could be better. After missing NC State’s opener with a leg injury, he returned against Georgia State, only to endure a frightening blow to the head after catching a pass over the middle. Louis was down on the field for a while but ultimately was able to walk off under his own power.

Dave Doeren said during his press conference on Monday that Louis is going through the concussion protocol, and that makes his status in the near term unclear. The effects of a concussion can vary, and obviously this is not an injury that you want to mess around with.

But this could have been a lot worse, and for a minute there, it sure seemed worse. NC State will manage without Louis if it has to this weekend and beyond, and hopefully Steph isn’t putting any undue pressure on himself to get back on the field quickly.