Players seeking more concussion evaluations

The NFL’s chief medical officer says more than a third of concussion evaluations so far this season are a result of players indicating they have symptoms, a much higher percentage than last season.

Allen Sills said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday that “about 37 percent” of the 379 concussion evaluations during the preseason and regular season have been “initiated by a self-report.” Sills said it was about 20 to 22 percent a year ago.

He called that increase “a positive development.”

Sills also said the rules for checking for a concussion were followed properly for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Sunday, when he was allowed to return to a game after a hit to the head. After the game, it was determined he did have concussion symptoms.

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said on the call that the league and the players’ union are still reviewing whether the Seahawks properly followed concussion protocols with quarterback Russell Wilson on Thursday night.

Sills said data from the past five years show that the injury rate per game is lower on Thursdays than games played on other days of the week. Sportsmanship nominees: Joe Staley of the 49ers and the Raiders’ Derek Carr are the Bay Area teams’ nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award, now in its fourth year, honors the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The recipient will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of his choice. Briefly: A knee injury to quarterback Drew Stanton could clear the way for ex-49er Blaine Gabbert to make his debut for Arizona. Stanton sprained a knee early in Thursday night’s 22-16 loss to Seattle . ... Carolina rookie wide receiver Curtis Samuel is done for the year after injuring his left ankle in the third quarter of the Panthers’ 45-21 win over Miami on Monday . ... Washington placed starting running back Rob Kelley and inside linebacker Will Compton on injured reserve . ... Seattle signed cornerback Byron Maxwell to help make up for the loss of Richard Sherman to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.