Concussions: NFL reports slight decrease in 2016

Concussions were slightly down in the NFL this season, according to injury data the league released on Thursday, but still 18 per cent higher than just two seasons ago.

Players suffered a total of 244 concussions this season, down 11 per cent from a year ago (275) but still higher than the reported numbers from 2014 (206) and 2013 (229). League officials attribute that difference to awareness and the increased likelihood that players will self-report the injury.

“Players are more likely to speak up if they believe they have a concussion,” said the Carolina Panthers’ team doctor, Dr. Robert Heyer, the president of the NFL Physicians Society.

The number of concussions experienced in regular season games fell nearly nine per cent, from 183 in 2015 to 167 this season.

League officials were especially pleased to see only 71 reported concussions in the pre-season, a fiveyear low for the NFL.

Before the 2015 pre-season, league health and safety officials made a push with teams to better monitor head injuries and educate players during training camp.

“Those discussions led to a significant decrease — over 30 per cent — between 2014 and 2015 and that number has stabilized in 2016, with a decrease of three per cent,” said Dr. John York, co-owner of the 49ers and chair of the NFL Owners’ Health and Safety Advisory Committee.

“So we’re happy with those results. (They) show that clubs do listen and are very interested in the number of concussions with their players, and we can have an effect on the culture in the National Football League.”

League officials said they’ll continue combing through the data to identify any trends that might impact education efforts or future rules changes.

“Our work with the league regarding concussions and education is not done,” Heyer said. “But I know what we are doing is making a difference. And we must and will continue to do more.”