Concussion rules changed

The NFL and the players’ union announced a series of changes Friday to the way potential concussions are handled during games following an ugly incident in which Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage was allowed to return to the field after a hit left him on the ground, arms shaking.

A joint review by the NFL and the NFL Players Association was prompted by the Savage injury. He was hurt in the second quarter of Houston’s 26-16 loss to San Francisco on Dec. 10 when he was driven to the ground on a hit by Elvis Dumervil. Replays showed Savage looking dazed after his head hit the ground with both of his arms shaking and lifted upward. He was taken to the medical tent where he stayed for less than three minutes before returning to the bench and going back in for the next series.

Savage threw two incompletions on that drive, and Houston’s team doctor approached him after he returned to the sideline at the end of that possession. He was then evaluated again and taken to the locker room after it was determined that he did have a concussion.

Among the changes detailed by the NFL and NFLPA (all of them already implemented):

Using a centralized, unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant at the league office to monitor feeds of all games and contact the team medical staff on the sidelines if they see anything that deserves further evaluation.

If players show signs of a seizure or fencing responses, like Savage did, they will be removed from the game and cannot return.

Players who stumble or fall when trying to stand will require a concussion evaluation in the locker room.

Officials, teammates and coaches have been told to take injured players straight to the medical staff for evaluation if a concussion evaluation is warranted.

All players who are evaluated for concussions on game day must have a follow-up evaluation the next day by a member of the medical staff.

A third, unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant will be added to all playoff games including the Super Bowl to step in if one of the other two are away from the sideline tending to an injured player.

Fines issued: Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was fined $30,387 by the NFL for making physical contact with a game official during a loss to San Francisco on Sunday.

Ngakoue was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after he bumped referee Jeff Triplette while shouting at 49ers running back Matt Breida as officials were trying to separate Breida and Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson.

San Francisco’s Cassius Marsh was also docked $18,231 for roughing the passer, as was the Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa. The Chargers’ Rayshawn Jenkins was fined $9,115 for unnecessary roughness during a punt against the New York Jets.

Atlanta cornerback Desmond Trufant was fined $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he threw a punch at New Orleans’ Michael Thomas but missed.

Also docked $9,115 were Dallas’ Geoff Swaim (illegal crackback block) and Houston’s Jadeveon Clowney (facemask).