Ticats' Powell (head) taken to hospital for precautionary reasons

Tiger-Cats quarterback Taylor Powell was taken to a local Hamilton hospital for "precautionary reasons" after suffering a head injury in Saturday's loss to the Edmonton Elks.

Powell took a hard hit on a scramble in the opening quarter and walked into the tent for evaluation under his own power. He then emerged from the tent without his helmet and went back to the locker room. He was stable in hospital after undergoing precautionary imaging. 

The development came just one quarter after Ticats receiver Luther Hakunavanhu left the field on a stretcher and in an ambulance after suffering a head injury on a big hit on the opening play from scrimmage, causing a delay of roughly 40 minutes. Hakunavanhu was conscious and had movement in all his extremities as he left the field. He was also later stable in hospital.

Powell was replaced by Bo Levi Mitchell under centre, who Powell replaced mid-game a week ago against the Montreal Alouettes. Powell was 2-3 with 20 yards passing and another 17 rushing before leaving the game. Mitchell finished 23-34 for 294 yards and one touchdown compared to two interceptions. Hamilton went on to fall 47-22, giving the Elks their first three-game winning streak since 2018.

Powell is in his second season with Hamilton, passing for 2,283 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to nine interceptions as a rookie last season. 

Tiger-Cats receiver Tyler Ternowski was also ruled out of Saturday's game early after suffering a head injury. He remained at Tim Hortons Field and was walking around in the locker room after the game, according to TSN's Matthew Scianitti.

Hamilton will be back in action next Friday in Winnipeg against the Blue Bombers.