NFL CONSIDERS ADDING CONCUSSION INJURY LIST

NFL owners could vote Tuesday on a measure that would create a roster exemption for players with concussions, similar to baseball’s seven-day disabled list rule, but it seems unlikely to pass without additional time for discussion. According to several people with knowledge of the proposal that was submitted by the Washington Redskins, a team would be permitted to place a player who has been diagnosed with a concussion on the exempt list and replace him with another player on a game-by-game basis until the player is cleared to return. A short-term injured reserve for players diagnosed with a concussion was among 76 recommendations included in a Harvard Law School report — based on research funded by the NFL Players Association and published in November — that also suggested medical personnel caring for NFL players no longer should report to team management or coaches. The NFL has a concussion protocol players must pass, including clearance by an independent neurologist, before returning to action. Many miss at least one game, which is where the added roster flexibility makes sense.