League: Preseason game concussion rate increased by 44%
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. >> The NFL says the number of concussions in exhibition games this year rose to 49 from 34 in 2018, an increase of 44% and a setback in efforts to reduce brain trauma.
“We have more work to do,” said Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, at the owners’ meetings Tuesday.
Concussions in preseason practices fell to 30 from 45 in 2018, perhaps a reflection of the NFL’s decision this year to eliminate drills that involve especially violent one-on-one contact. The total of 79 preseason concussions in practice and games was the same a year ago.
ACL injuries during the preseason declined to 16 from 28 in 2018. But the concussion rate in exhibition games was the highest since 2015.
“Progress in helmet safety is not always linear,” Sills said.
More study regarding preseason concussions is planned to assess who is being injured and how. It is disproportionately rookie and first-year players, which underscores the need to teach proper techniques and rules to players new to the league, Sills said.
“A lot of the players who have been injured in games don’t end up making the roster,” he said.
Players are adopting at an unprecedented rate helmets deemed the safest by the league and players association. All but 13 players, or 99%, were using the helmets in Week 5 of this season, compared with 41% two years ago, the league said.
Rams trade Peters to Ravens
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. >> The Los Angeles Rams traded cornerback Marcus Peters to the Baltimore Ravens for linebacker Kenny Young and an undisclosed pick in the 2020 draft.
Peters has been a starting cornerback for the Rams since they acquired him from Kansas City before last season. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has five interceptions in 22 games since joining Los Angeles. But Peters’ rookie contract expires at the end of the year, and the defending NFC champions declined to sign their Super Bowl starter to an extension before the start of this season.
Torn pectoral muscle ends season for Steelers DL Tuitt
PITTSBURGH >> The Pittsburgh Steelers will have to dig their way out of an early season hole without defensive end Stephon Tuitt.
The team placed Tuitt on injured reserve on Tuesday, two days after Tuitt tore a pectoral muscle in the first quarter of a 24-17 victory over the Chargers. The six-year veteran was in the midst of his best season, racking up 3½ sacks and six tackles for loss in just over five games.
Saints’ Williams suspended 2 games
NEW ORLEANS >> Saints defensive back P.J. Williams has been suspended two games for a violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The league said in a statement Tuesday that Williams is suspended immediately and will be available to return to the Saints after the club’s Week 8 game against Arizona.
The statement does not specify which banned substance Williams was determined to have used. However, Williams was arrested in January for allegedly driving while intoxicated just days after the Saints’ loss in the NFC Championship game.