NFL, CFL join efforts for concussion testing
The NFL and CFL are partnering on concussion testing during Canadian league games and practices this season.
The leagues announced the agreement Thursday.
During CFL training camp and regular-season games that began in June, team medical staffs have been using a remove-from-play sideline concussion screening test based on eye movement. It is being used in addition to the CFL’s established sideline concussion examination, and the NFL will contribute funding to help determine whether the tests improve the ability to diagnose concussions.
Called the K-D Test, it’s a two-minute exam. An athlete reads single-digit numbers displayed on cards or on a tablet to test eye movement. After suspected head trauma, the athlete is given the test and response time is compared with his preseason baseline time. This information, as well as a full medical evaluation, will help diagnose a concussion and subsequently remove a player from play, the leagues said.
Seahawks’ Williams returns to practice
Less than three months after a cancerous kidney was removed, Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams was back on the practice field Thursday as more than a spectator.
Back in pads. Back being a football player.
“Feels good, running around, moving around with the team,” Williams said. “Today was the day I was pretty much kept in my mind the whole time that I had been in the hospital, the first day back, so it was driving me. It was a big deal to get out there today.”
Williams was activated from the non-football injury list and took part in his first practice of the season after being diagnosed with papillary type 2 cancer in May and undergoing surgery. His time on the field Thursday was mostly limited to individual drills, but it was a significant step after Williams’ football career was in jeopardy when the diagnosis was made.
“I try not to deviate my mind from the goals and the plans that I set already,” Williams said. “The team believed in me and gave me a chance. I had a pretty rough start already. Hopefully getting rid of the bad kidney got rid of a bit of the bad luck I had as well. I’m looking forward to progressing and staying out there the best that I can.”
Lee could sit out preseason opener
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Marqise Lee is unlikely to play in the team’s preseason opener against Pittsburgh next week.
Lee strained his right hamstring in practice Wednesday, and Coach Gus Bradley said Thursday the second-year pro will be reevaluated on a week-to-week basis. Bradley added that Lee is unlikely to play against the Steelers on Aug. 14.
Lee, a second-round draft pick from USC in 2014, missed all of organized team activities and a three-day minicamp because of a left knee injury.
Also Thursday, tight end Julius Thomas left practice with tightness in his back. But Bradley says he doesn’t think it will keep Thomas from practicing Friday.
Bradley also says defensive end Chris Clemons (personal issues) won’t play against the Steelers.
Etc.
Washington Redskins Coach Jay Gruden says wide receiver DeSean Jackson will miss one to two weeks after spraining the acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder during a workout. … Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd has undergone surgery after injuring his fingers during practice. Floyd was hurt Wednesday and said in a tweet the operation “went well as expected.” … Buffalo Bills cornerback Leodis McKelvin is out indefinitely and could miss the start of the season after having a follow-up procedure on his broken right ankle. … Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso missed practice Thursday because of a concussion. Alonso suffered the injury in Tuesday’s practice and it’s unknown when he’ll return. … The New Orleans Saints have released injured defensive lineman Glenn Foster and signed rookie defensive back Travis Manning .…The Buffalo Bills have signed free-agent running back Bronson Hill to fill in for Boobie Dixon, who is sidelined because of a pulled calf muscle.