League, NFLPA clear team in probe
Savage inquiry does lead to changes in concussion protocol
An investigation by the NFL and NFLPA into the concussion quarterback Tom Savage suffered earlier this month cleared the Texans but resulted in immediate changes designed to improve the league’s concussion protocol.
Led by Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, and Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFL Players Association’s medical director, an investigation was launched the day after the Texans’ Dec. 10 loss to San Francisco at NRG Stadium.
In a joint statement released Friday, the NFL and NFLPA said, “The parties have both concluded that while the medical staff followed the Protocol, the outcome was unacceptable and therefore further improvements in the Protocol are necessary.
“The NFL and NFLPA recognize that Mr. Savage’s return to the game did not reflect the
expected outcome of the Protocol. As such, the parties have agreed that no discipline will be assessed, but have already implemented several improvements to the Protocol to prevent such an unacceptable outcome in the future.”
In a conference call Friday, Dr. Sills and Dr. Mayer said they had reviewed “more than 560” reports on concussions, and two resulted in investigations.
Seattle was fined $100,000 for violating the concussion protocol earlier this season with quarterback Russell Wilson.
Savage was injured after an incompletion in the second quarter. He released the ball and was hit by 49ers defensive end Elvis Dumervil, who landed on top of Savage.
Savage’s head hit the turf. He turned on his left side and had what’s called a fencing response — extending his arms and twitching for a few seconds.
Savage was removed from the game and was taken into the medical tent on the sideline for evaluation by the league’s Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) and a team doctor. He was examined for a few minutes, was cleared and returned on the Texans’ next series.
After Savage threw two incompletions and the Texans failed to get a first down, he was taken to the dressing room for more evaluation. He didn’t return this season and was placed on injured reserve.
Dr. Mayer pointed out Friday that while the NFLPA and NFL are known to have their differences, the union had “zero differences with the NFL on this issue.”
The reason Savage was allowed to return to the game was addressed in the statement that said, “The slow-motion video, which focused more directly on the fencing posture, was not broadcast until after the doctors had begun the sideline evaluation and thus was not seen by the medical staff prior to the evaluation.”
After concluding the investigation, changes have been implemented to strengthen the protocol.
The statement continued: “Working in conjunction with the NFL’s independent Head, Neck and Spine Committee, these improvements include:
• Implemented a pilot program utilizing a centralized UNC based at the league office to monitor the broadcast feeds of all games. The UNC will contact the team medical staff on the sideline should they observe any signs or symptoms warranting further evaluation.
• Defined impact seizure and fencing responses as independent signs of potential loss of consciousness, representing “No-Go” criteria under the current Protocol. Players who display either of these signs at any time shall be removed from play and may not return to the game.
• Require a locker-room concussion evaluation for all players demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand).
• Officials, teammates, and coaching staffs have been instructed to take an injured player directly to a member of the medical team for appropriate evaluation, including a concussion assessment, if warranted.
• Require all players who undergo any concussion evaluation on game day to have a follow-up evaluation conducted the following day by a member of the medical staff.
• Added a third UNC to all playoff games and the Super Bowl to serve as a backup who can step in immediately should one of the original two UNCs be absent from the sideline for a time to attend to a more severely injured player.”
While implementing the changes to the concussion protocol, Sills and Mayer hosted conference calls with every UNC, independent spotters who work in the pressbox and staff members from each team’s medical department to review the changes, signs and symptoms, according to the league.
“The NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, NFL and NFLPA will conduct a comprehensive offseason review of all aspects of the protocol with an emphasis toward continued improvement in detection and diagnosis,” the statement said.