The Baltimore Ravens needed all-hands-on-deck in Week 18. They entered their Sunday Night Football bout against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a race for the AFC North crown, with the winner punching their ticket to the postseason.
After a fast start, the Ravens saw their 10-point lead slowly slip away. The momentum completely shifted after a huge pass breakup saw safeties Alohi Gilman and Kyle Hamilton leave the game due to injuries.
Both players went to the blue tent, and while Gilman re-entered the game, the same cannot be said for Hamilton. The three-time Pro Bowler was seen getting carted off to the locker room just a few plays before the Steelers scored a game-tying touchdown.
Ravens lose Kyle Hamilton in crucial moment
Hamilton and Gilman made helmet-to-helmet contact as both fired in to make a play on the ball. Evidently, Hamilton got the worst of it. He remained down on the field as the NBC broadcast cut to a commercial break, and wasn’t seen again until he was carted off the field.
Later in the game, Melissa Stark revealed that Hamilton had been evaluated for a concussion. He had to wait for Gilman to clear his concussion tests in the blue tent before going in for his. Ultimately, he was not cleared to return to the game.
If there was one player that Baltimore could not lose, it was Hamilton. The 24-year-old is having another outstanding year, where he has helped transform a defense that was on a historically bad pace at the start of 2025.
Whether it has been at safety, in the box, at corner, or on the defensive line, Hamilton has done it all. He is the motor that keeps Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr’s unit looking somewhat competent, and his importance couldn’t have been more obvious after leaving the contest. The defense's coverage and ability to tackle in the open field took a huge hit, and if Hamilton cannot return, they’ll be in a whole world of trouble.
Update: Hamilton will be out for the remainder of the game due to a concussion.