T.J. Ward injury: Broncos safety injures neck, is day-to-day [update]

In the fourth quarter in Monday night's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos S T.J. Ward suffered a brutal-looking, brutal-sounding neck injury and did not return. Broncos players took a knee around Ward as he lay on the field, hoping for Ward to get up.

TJ Ward down on the field, crowd has gone silent pic.twitter.com/0YWvG5jtsj

— Arran Andersen (@arranandersen) December 23, 2014

Ward would get up and walk off the field under his own power, but he was carted to the locker room from the sideline. He would not return with what was declared a neck injury.

Coach Fox said T.J. Ward would be evaluated when the team returns to Denver. Injured neck, not concussion-related.

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) December 23, 2014

According to the Denver Post, Ward's initial X-rays were negative, with more tests coming.

TJ Ward said XRays on neck were negative will have more tests tomorrow. Neck got pulled back by weight of several players in pile #Broncos

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) December 23, 2014

Our fingers are crossed that Ward didn't suffer any significant injury here, and that he can return to the Broncos' defense as soon as possible.