Changes made to concussion protocol
The Associated Press
HOUSTON» The NFL and the players union announced a series of changes Friday to the way potential concussions are handled during games after 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 games 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 from the game and cannot return.
The jarring injury to Savage prompted a joint review of concussion protocol by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. 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 evaluated again and taken to the Texans’ locker room after it was determined that he did have a concussion.
The NFL said the Texans would not be fined for the incident.
Belichick winner of AP’s NFL coach rankings.
New England coach Bill Belichick’s five Super Bowl championships make him the runaway winner in The Associated Press’ top-10 rankings of NFL head coaches.
Belichick received 10 of the 11 first-place votes and 105 of a possible 110 points. The voting released Friday was done by a panel that includes Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton and 10 AP football writers.
Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin was the only other coach named on all 11 ballots and finished second with 81 points, followed by Seattle’s Pete Carroll and Baltimore’s John Harbaugh.
Footnotes.
The Jets extended the contracts of general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles. … Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss the first game of his career Sunday because of a calf injury. … The Cowboys will place offensive tackle Tyron Smith and cornerback Orlando Scandrick on injured reserve before their season finale at Philadelphia. … Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was fined $30,387 by the NFL for making physical contact with a game official during his team’s loss to San Francisco last Sunday.