The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
3. NFL changes rules after hit
NFL/union review after Savage mishap leads to changes.
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 Texans quarterback Tom Savage was allowed to return to the field after a hit left him on the ground, arms shaking.
HOUSTON — The NFL and the players’ union announced changes Friday to the way potential concussions are handled following an ugly incident in which Texans quarterback Tom Savage was allowed to return to the field after a hit left him on the ground, arms shaking.
Among the changes is the addition of an expert watching from a central location with the authority to alert sideline medical teams to look into an incident. And if a player shows signs of a seizure or similar responses, as Savage did, he will be removed and cannot return.
The NFL has been under scrutiny the past several years over player safety when it comes to head injuries. A $1 billion settlement of concussion-related claims from more than 20,000 former players took effect earlier this year, resolving lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about risks.
The jarring injury to Savage prompted a joint review of concussion protocol by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. He was driven to the ground Dec. 10 on a hit by San Francisco’s 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, and Houston’s team doctor approached him after he returned to the sideline at the end of that possession. He was evaluated again and taken to the locker room after it was determined he had a concussion.
The NFL said the Texans would not be fined for the incident. The review determined that the medical staff followed protocol but his return to the game was “unacceptable.” Medical staff didn’t see video of Savage’s “fencing posture,” indicative of a concussion, until after the initial evaluation, the review found. Texans medical staff later identified symptoms that weren’t present during the first evaluation.
“I think we handled it the way it was supposed to be handled,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. But O’Brien said he was glad to see improvements. “I think there’s a lot of things that can be improved,” he said.
The Seahawks were fined $100,000 earlier this month for not properly following protocol with quarterback Russell Wilson during a game in November. Seattle was the first team to be fined for a violation of the protocol. In addition to the fine, Seattle’s medical staff and coaches were required to attend training on the protocol.
Among the changes (all of them already implemented):
■ A centralized, unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant at the league office monitors feeds of all games and contacts the team medical staff if anything needs further evaluation.
■ If players show signs of a seizure or fencing responses, he will be removed 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.
■ Players 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 to step in if one is away from the sideline tending to an injured player.